The Cicada. 105 



sohoolroom. The jara mnat be covered vith netting to prevent 

 theee active little bngs from fljing away. 



We discover that the water-boatman is a true bug by 

 feeding it with meat and watching tbe sacking-tube, or 

 by handling it carelessly and letting it use its sharp 

 needles on our fingers. 



Its body is boat-shaped, its back being the keel, hence 

 it swims back downward. The under side, which is flat, 

 forms the deck, with an upper deck of hairs above it. 

 Under the wings it keeps the supply of air for which it 

 often comes to the surface. The fringed hind legs are 

 the principal pair of oars, working smoothly in their row- 

 locks. The other two pairs are held oat in front for 

 seizing prey. It feathers its oars by pressing the hairs 

 to the hind leg when drawing it forward, and spreading 

 them in drawing it back. 



