102 

 Genus XXXVII. NEPA. 



GENERIC CHARACTER. 



Antenna very short, Particulate, and hid under 

 the eyes. Rostrum inflected ; sheath con- 

 taining three bristles. Wings four, folded 

 together crosswise ; the anterior part coria- 

 ceous. Two fore-feet cheliform (crab-like), 

 the four others formed for walking. 



General Observations. 



The Nepae, like the Notonectse, inhabit 

 ditches, canals, marshes, lakes, and other stand- 

 ing waters. They swim but slowly, and spend 

 most of their time at the bottom of the water, 

 seeking on the mud for the different insects 

 which serve them for food, and which they 

 seize very forcibly with their crab-like feet. In 

 the night they leave the ponds, and fly about 

 with great agility. 



The larvae, which are found in the same 

 places, diner from the perfect insect only in 





