6 PLATE 2xytxve 
and length of its legs, permitting it to dart with great velocity in any 
direction, and when it alights, it caufes only a gentle tremulous 
motion beneath it. Its habits have much affinity to the generality of 
aquatic infects, and being conftantly found on that element, would 
almoft determine it to be of that race; butit is rather amphibious, and 
very rarely defcends beneath the furface: It will at intervals reft for 
feveral minutes motionlefs on the water, its fix legs are then ex- 
panded, and the tarfi of the feet only touch the furface; but the Cimex 
Stagnorum is remarkable for the regularity and carefulnefs of all its 
actions; it rarely runs, but treads the water, flow, and ever appears to 
apprehend danger ; it frequently paufes fuddenly, and if it then perceives 
any thing difagreeable, retires. Aquatic Infeéts are generally fupplied 
at feveral parts of their body with an oily matter that the water can- 
not penetrate, and the legs of this Infect is apparently poffeffed of that 
property. 
brary 
