1. With what legs does the bug swim? Describe their appearance and
tell how used and how fitted for this use. Which legs are not used in
swimming?
2. Remove the bug from the water for a moment to test other methods
of locomotion, as jumping, crawling, flying. What do you discover?
3. Watch the bug as it gets a fresh supply of air, and describe the
process. Where is the air stored for use when under water? Does the
bug sink or rise when it stops swimming? Why?
4. Identify the bug's mouth parts. What is their appearance and
probable manner of use? How are the forelegs fitted for grasping
food?
5. What is the shape of the body? What is the position of the wings?
Do the two cover (fore) wings meet in a straight line or do they
cross at their tips? Are they smooth throughout and sheath-like, or
are they thick at the base and thin at the tips?
_Summary._
Summarize your study of the bug by enumerating the various ways the
bug is adapted for life in the water.
Water Beetles
Use the same questions for the study of water beetles as for water
bugs. In addition answer the following:--
1. Identify the eyes of the whirligig beetle and note their peculiar
construction. How can you explain this peculiar form of the eyes on
the basis of use? Why are the antennæ of both water bugs and beetles
so small?
_Suggested drawings._
a. The dorsal view of both bug and beetle.
b. Ventral view of the bug's head to show the beak and first pair of
legs.
GETTING ACQUAINTED WITH THE LIBRARY
_Directions._
The books in a zoölogical library may be roughly divided into three
groups:--
1. Reference books.
a. Advanced textbooks.
b. Elementary textbooks.
c. Natural histories.
d. Books for classifying or naming animals.
2. Descriptive books.
e. Life histories and habits of animals.
f. Adventures with animals--popular accounts of animals seen on
walks and travels.
3. Economic zoölogy.
g. Books on harmful animals and methods of destroying them.
h. Books on useful nondomesticated animals and their products.
i. Books on domestic animals.
j. Books of a general nature not included in the above.
Examine as many of the books in your library as you can and record
for each one in your notebook:--
1. Title of the book; author's name; publisher; date of publication.
2. The kind of book as classified above.
3. What it includes or what animals or topics are covered by the
book.
4. Whether the style is popular or technical, _i.e._ whether it is
easy for you to read.
5. The general character of its illustrations and whether they appear
to be especially helpful.
6. Comments on the value or interest of the book as it appears to
you.
7. Select a book which interests you, for future reading.
CHAPTER II
STUDIES OF INSECTS
_The effect of great numbers upon the structure and habits of
animals. The use of keys in finding the names of animals._
1. FIELD STUDIES
_Materials._
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