17i? HEMIPTERA. 
to look round; should it perceive any 
thing alarming, it immediately retires. 
Lucy, These creatures are very light 
to he sure, hut yet it seems surprising 
that they never sink. 
Mother, Many aquatic insects have a 
power of exuding, or throwing out, an 
oiJy matter from different parts of the 
body ; thus the water bugs possess the 
property of oiling their legs, which in- 
creases their buoyancy. 
Lucy. What very curious insects in 
the order hemiptera ! 
Mother, There are several other ge- 
nera in this order, which are not less 
remarkable in their habits and modes 
of life ; but I reserve these for your fu- 
ture amusement, and to-morrow we shall 
proceed to another order. 
