134 
THE STUDY OF INSECTS. 
lus oc-u-la'tus) (Fig. 154), the most common member of this 
family. Another species, Mononyx stygicns (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 
F 'g'/\ 54 lu7 member of the family is Pelogonus americanns (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/E (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 Saida , the only genus representing this 
family in the United States, although many species 
occur here. Fig 155<— 
Some of the Shore-bugs dig burrows, and live 6alda - 
for a part of the time beneath the ground. They take 
flight quickly when disturbed, but alight after flying a short 
distance. 
\ 
Family VELIID^E (Ve-li'i-dae). 
The Broad-shouldered Water-slriders. 
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- 
