^20 



Structure of Pliymata Erosa. 



erally of a yellow color, though this latter seems quite 

 variable. Frequently there is a distinct greenish hue. Be- 

 neath the abdomen, and on the back of the head, thorax, 

 and abdomen, it is more or less specked with brown; 



Fig. 207. 



Fig. 209. 



Antenna much Magnified, 



Interior view. 



Exterior 1 



Anterior le^ magnijicd. 



while across the dorsal aspect of the broadened abdomen 

 is a marked stripe of brown (Fig. 205, d., d). Sometimes 

 this stripe is almost wanting, sometimes a mere patch, 

 while rarely the whole abdomen is very slightly marked, 

 and as often we find it almost wholly brown above and 

 below. The legs (Fig. 205, 6), beak and antennae (Fig. 

 205, a) are greenish yellow. The beak has three joints 

 (Fig. 206, a, 6, c), and a sharp point (Fig. 206, d). This 

 beak is not only the great weapon of offense, but also the 

 organ through which the food is sucked. By the use of 

 this, the insect has gained the sobriquet of "stinging 

 bug." This compact jointed beak is peculiar to all true 

 bugs, and by observing it alone we are able to distinguish 

 all the very varied forms of this group. The antenna is 

 four-jointed. The first joint (Fig. 207, a) is short, the 

 second and third (Fig. 207, i> and c) are long and slim, 

 while the terminal one (Fig. 207, d) is much enlarged. 

 This enlarged joint is one of the characteristics of the 

 genus Phymata, as described by Latrcille. But the most 

 curious structural peculiarity of this insect, and the chief 

 character of the genus Phymata, is the enlarged anterior 

 legs (Figs. 208 and 209). These, were they only to aid 



