124 AMBLYPYGI. 



which is usually united to it without trace of suture. Legs of 

 1st pair very long and antenniform ; the segments on the distal 

 side of the femur forming a long, many-jointed flagellum. 

 .Remaining legs long and slender ; 4th segment (patella) very 

 short, 5th (tibia) long and slender, often segmented : tarsi con- 

 sisting of four or five segments ; the apical segment armed with 

 two claws, and often provided beneath with a membranous 

 sucker (pulvillus'). Abdomen oval, segmented, covered above by 

 12 terga, and below by 11 sterna as in the Uropygi, but much 

 shorter than in that group, the posterior segments very small, the 

 last tergum forming a movable flap over the anus ; no postanal 

 sclerite. Generative organs opening behind the sternum of the 

 2nd abdominal somite as in the Uropygi, that is to say, behind 

 what is described as the 1st sternum. Two pairs of breathing- 

 organs, consisting of pulmonary sacs, the anterior pair placed in 

 the same transverse line as the generative aperture, the posterior 

 pair opening behind the 2nd abdominal sternum. 



Habits. These Arachnida, which are in many respects inter- 

 mediate between the Whip-Scorpions and the true Spiders, much 

 resemble the former in habits, being found under stones, fallen 

 tree-trunks, or in the crevices of rocks, of termites' nests, &c. 

 They do not, however, dig burrows for themselves. Many of 

 the species of Cliarontidce are to be met with in caves, on the 

 walls and roofs of which the sucker-like pulvillus enables them 

 to maintain a secure hold. The eggs are carried attached to the 

 underside of the abdomen, as in the Whip-Scorpions. 



Distribution. Africa south of the Sahara, S. Arabia, and the 

 Seychelles ; Oriental Eegion from India, Ceylon, and Siam easi - 

 wards over the whole of the Indo- and Austro-Malayan area as far 

 as Fiji ; South and Central America northwards into Texas and 

 Lower California. 



The Indian genera are inferable to two families, which may be 

 tabulated as follows : — 



a. Sternal plates larpe ; no pulvillus on tarsus Phrynichidae. 



b. Sternal plates small ; a distinct pulvillus on tarsus. Charontidae. 



