On Pseudo-scorpiones. By S. J. McIntire. 

 (Read Oct. 26th, 1867.; 



Whilst making observations on Podurse in the months of June, 

 July, and August last year, my attention was frequently drawn to 

 a small spider-like creature, about the size of a pin's head, that 

 made its appearance under certain boards and brick-bats which 

 were the favourite haunts of the black Podura. It was usually 

 discovered nestled in some crevice, and its legs were packed so as 

 to occupy very httle space, but on being disturbed it would walk 

 away steadily. If a capture were attempted, it made vigorous 

 efforts to escape, running with great speed either backwards, for- 

 wards, or sideways. Its invariable occurrence in connection 

 with Podm-cB led me to thmk it sought the retreat of these 

 insects for the purpose of preying upon them, and further acquaint- 

 ance has confirmed me in that opinion. 



A friend of mine in the country (at Theale), submitted to my 

 inspection, in the early part of this year, a little reddish brown 

 creature, like one I remembered to have seen in the late Mr. 

 Richard Beck's possession, at Mr. Hardwicke's conversazione in 

 Dec, 1865, and wliich Mr. Beck said had been sent him by a corn- 

 dealer. On comparing this Pseudo-scorpion and many subsequent 

 specimens with the creatures I was often finding, I soon learnt that 

 the name Chelifer, which I had applied to my own captures in con- 

 sequence of seeing several mounted slides so named, was incorrect; 

 and reference to the books at hand caused me to come to the con- 

 clusion that the creature from Theale was a real Chelifer (probably 

 Chelifer Latreillei), but the little persecutor of my Podura3 was an 

 Obisium (0. Orthodactylum). 



In Wood's " Natural History," * the order is characterised as 

 follows . 



PSEUDO-SCORPIONES.— Cephalothorax united to abdomen ; 

 abdomen ringed ; palpi large, with pincers at top. 



It is separated into genera. 



Chelifer. — Eyes two ; cephalothorax divided by transverse 

 furrow. 



* 



The Illustrated Natural History by the Rev. J. G. Wood, M.A., in Three 

 Vols. Quarto. Routledgc aud Co. 



