394 
THE DIVER, 
Genus XXIV — Dytifcus. The Diver, 
1 His genus comprehends twenty-three fpecies of aquatic 
infects, tnofUy of a very large fize ; they are diftinguifli- 
ed by the antennre, which are either fetaceous, or ter- 
minated by a perfoliated knob ; the hind legs are armed 
with claws, and furniihed with vibriffi, that enable the 
infedl to fwim *. 
The divers have obtained their name from the fudden 
efcape they make from danger, by plunging into water. 
By day, they frequent the flagnated pools, from whence 
they iltue in the evening, to make excurilons on the 
wing. The males have furrowed elytra, while thofe of 
the females are plain. The latter, when impregnated, 
depofits her eggs in the water, wrapped up in aiilky cod, 
of a texture fufficiently ftrong to protedt them from pre- 
datory infects, efpecially thofe of their own kind, which 
are mutually rapacious. Their larvre are worms confut- 
ing of eleven fegments, diftinguilhable by the largenefs 
of their heads, and by four filifwm antennae ; they de- 
vour other water infedts, and even each other. When 
arrived at their winged ftate, their bodies are protedted 
by a hard fcaly coat of mail : If caught unguardedly, 
they ate in that ftate capable of giving a fevere bite, as 
well as of wounding the hand with a fharp fpine. 
Dyticu?' 
5 Syftema Nat. j>. 664 , 
