BELOSTOMIDiE. 
713 
little Cheirochela assamensis , Ho., known from two localities in Assam 
and Burmah. Gestroiella , Diaphorocoris, Heleocoris , Ctenipocoris and 
Thurselinus are the remaining genera. 
Belostomim;. 
Posterior tibice flattened , with swimming hairs. Antennae of four joints ; 
forelegs inserted in the disk of anterior margin of prosternum. 
This family includes the largest bug known, the flat brown 
Belostoma (fig. 486), which comes to the search-lights on the Assam 
river steamers and is probably 
familiar to all who travel there. 
It also includes species of more 
moderate size. All are flattened, 
formed for swimming, with pre¬ 
daceous forelegs and swimming 
hind legs ; there are short abdom¬ 
inal appendages to conduct 
the air to a band of pubescence 
passing laterally round the lower 
surface of the abdomen. The 
head is a little produced in front 
and bears a short powerful beak. 
Little is known of their trans¬ 
formations or habits ; for long it 
has been known that in some 
forms the eggs were carried on 
the back ; they are fastened to 
the hemelytra as shown in 
figures. In one American species 
Fig. 486— Belostoma indica. the male is stated to carry the 
eggs. That this is the case also 
with SphcerodemM molestum , Duf., we have proved by dissection of egg¬ 
bearing individuals. In the case of this species also the young have 
been observed to hatch from the eggs and live in captivity ; they are 
similar in shape to the parent and the spiracles are on the edge of a 
band of pubescence which passes along the ventral side of the abdomen 
and holds air ; this divided pubescent band passes to the hind end of 
