Note b — BOOK VIII.

I might here name divers Flies, and other Insects, who, besides their sharp hook’d Nails, have alto skinny Palms to their Feet, to enable them to stick on Glass, and other smooth Bodies, by Means of the Pressure of the Atmosphere. But because the Example will illustrate another Work of Nature, as well as this, I shall chuse a singular Piece of Mechanism, in one of the largest Sorts of Hydrocanthari. Of these large ones there are two Sorts, one largest, all black, with Antennæ handsomely emboss’d at the Ends. The other somewhat lesser, hardly so black, with capillary Antennæ; the Forehead, Edges of the Vaginæ, and two Rings on the Thorax, of a tawney Colour. The Female hath Vaginæ prettily furrow’d, the Male smooth. But that which is most to our Purpose in this Male, is a Flap, or hollowish Cap near the middle Joynt of the Fore-legs; which when clap’d on the Shoulders of the Female in Coitu, sticks firmly thereon: After the Manner as I have seen Boys carry heavy Stones, with only a wet Piece of Leather clap’d on the Top of the Stone.