rostrum takes its origin directly from the front of the head; the hemelytra are always membranous at the extremity; the prothorax is much larger than the other divisions of the trunk; the body flat and depressed, the hemelytra and wings being always horizontal or very slightly inclined; the former crossing each other when closed; antennæ usually rather long and not terminating in a bristle; scutellum large; ovipositor not developed. This section contains the following families: Cimicidæ (bugs), Pentatomidæ (plant bugs), Coreidæ, Reduviidæ (wheel bugs), Acanthidæ, Hydrometridæ, (water bugs), Nepidæ (water scorpions), Notonectidæ (boat-flies). The three last are aquatic, and the two last constitute the subdivision named Hydrocorisa, or water-bugs, by Latreille; the others form his subdivision Geocorisa, or land-bugs.
SCUTELLERA DISPAR.
Plate XIX. Fig. 1.
Stoll's Punaises, Pl. 37, fig. 260.
This genus is essentially characterised by the excessive development of the scutellum, which covers the entire abdomen like a shield, concealing both the hemelytra and wings. As in all the other species of the family the antennæ are five-jointed, the joints pretty long and nearly of equal thickness; sucker consisting of four distinct articulations; tarsi three-jointed.
The scutelleræ were referred by Linnæus to his great genus Cimex, and they were subsequently con-
