15g

stances, from want of reflection, rather than a malicious design to torment.

The genus llydrachna has a close affinity to the last mentioned. It consists chiefly of small insects, the largest not exceeding the size of a pea, of a flat, globular shape, that inhabit stagnant waters, and are very quick in their motions.

The Hydrac/ina geographica, so named from the fancied resemblance of its variations to the lines of a map, is a very elegant insect. It is globe-shaped, of a polished black, beautifully marked and spotted with carmine, and the legs curiously fringed with hairs.

The Iiydrachn lay their eggs in flat clusters; and sometimes choose for that purpose the bodies of Nepce, and other water insects.

The genus Phalangium presents a collection of insects of a very disagreeable aspect, having legs of an extraordinary length in proportion to their bodies, which are generally of a form inclined to round or oval. They seem armed for deeds of rapacity, and probably feed upon animals weaker than themselves.

One of them, the P/ialangium renfonn, is a native of the hottest climates, and equals most of the largest spiders in size. The legs are very long, and the palpi or claspers are strongly fortified on the inside with sharp, curved

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