134 THE STUDY OF INSECTS. 



lus oc-u-la'tus) (Fig. 154), the most common member of this 



# family. Another species, Mononyx stygicus (Mon'o- 

 nyx styg'i-cus), closely resembles this one in form, 

 but can be distinguished by the fact that it has 

 only a single claw on each front tarsus. A third 

 Fig. is4- — member of the family is Pelogonns ameriea?tus (Pe- 

 ocuiatus. log'o-nus a-mer-i-ca'nus) ; this is a smaller insect, 

 with a more oblong body, and of a velvety-black color. 

 These three are all of the species of this family that have 

 been found in the United States. They all are predaceous. 

 Some members of this family are known to make burrows 

 for themselves, and to live for a part of the time beneath 

 the ground. 



Family Saldid^: (Sal'di-dae). 

 The Shore-bugs. 



These are certain small bugs, of dark colors with white 

 or yellow markings, and with long antennae, which abound 

 in the vicinity of streams and lakes, and upon damp soils, 

 especially of marshes near our coasts. The shape of these 

 Shore-bugs is shown by Figure 155 ; they belong to 

 the genus Salda, the only genus representing this 

 family in the United States, although many species 

 occur here. 



Some of the Shore-bugs dig burrows, and live ^ alda - 

 for a part of the time beneath the ground. They take 

 flight quickly when disturbed, but alight after flying a short 

 distance. 



Family Veltiu^: (Ve-li'i-dae). 

 The Broad-shouldered Water-striders. 

 There are many bugs that run upon the surface of the 

 water. The greater number of them belong to the next fam- 

 ily; but there are several genera which represent a family 

 distinct from the true Water-striders, and which can be easily 

 distinguished from them by the fact" that the body is broad- 



