BUGS. 
35 
in -the males. They are on the under side of the 
abdomen and are covered with two rounded shields 
or scales that give the male cicada the appearance 
of wearing a vest. On lifting these scales a system 
of beautiful membranes as thin as a soap-bubble film 
and giving the same iridescent effects, will be seen. 
Just how this organ is played upon is not yet satis¬ 
factorily determined. 
THE GIANT WATER-BUG (BELOSTOMA). 
This curious insect is known as the “electric-light 
bug” in many places on account of its being found 
about the lights of cities in 
great numbers. An inspection 
of these curious creatures shows 
them to be predaceous in their 
habits, the fore legs being 
fitted exclusively for seizing 
their prey. Having seized it, 
they thrust their powerful 
beaks down into its quivering 
flesh and at once begin to suck 
out its juices. 
The life-history of the Belos- 
toma is not fully known. A 
few facts are, however, well es¬ 
tablished. The eggs of some of Fig. 19.—Giant Water- 
the members of this family are 
laid and fastened to the back of the female by means 
of a sort of glue which does not dissolve in water. 
The eggs remain there for some time before hatch- 
