HARVEST-SPIDERS 137 



mould fauna consists mainly of the smaller species of Suncia and 

 species of Pristobunus. The species of Synthet onychia are found 

 only in leaf-mould and moss, while Muscicola picta and Algidia 

 viriduta appear to be restricted to moss and are distinguished by 

 their striking green coloration. No altitudinal sp>eciation has been 

 observed: only a few species have been found above bush-line and 

 then only in small numbers in sub-alpine scrub. They are more 

 numerous near sea level and progressively diminish in number at 

 higher altitudes. Veiy few are encountered above 2.50<j fL and only 

 Palpatores are found under alpine conditions (Forster, 1954). The 

 C\*phophthalmi are rare and equally obscure, Hving like mites 

 under stones, etc. in damp places, and are usually to be found only 

 after rain has fallen. The only sub-order whose biology is known at 

 all adequately is the Palpatores. thanks largely to the work of 

 British naturalists. 



The Troguhdae and Xemastomidae are inhabitants of the sur- 

 face layers of the soil and appear to require a balanced microclimate 

 as they are particularly susceptible to desiccation. The first named 

 family is confined to chalky districts where they find the snails on 

 which they feed, but members of both families avoid the hght and 

 crawl slowly into cover it exposed. Vibrations of the soil usually 

 induce a death-feigning reflex. The British species Trogulus tri- 

 carinatus and Anelasmocephalus cambridgei are rare forms found only 

 by careful searching in southern counties, but Xemastoma lugubre 

 and _V. chrysomelas are quite common and widely distributed. 



'The study of hanestmen is a study of legs,' wrote Savory (193S) 

 and legs are indeed a feature that is bound to impress anyone ob- 

 serving the Phalangiidae. Although autotomy is frequently practised 

 as an escape reaction, no regeneration of the limbs occurs in 

 hanestmen. A minimum of four legs, provided one of the second 

 pair remains, enables most species to lead a more or less normal 

 life, but if both of the second pair are lost death soon follows. 

 These second legs seem to be used for tactile purposes and possibly 

 for smell reception and the sensory hairs on the first legs may also 

 serve the latter purpose. It is interesting to note that the long- 

 legged Phalangiidae possess two small spiracles on the tibia of each 

 kg in addition to the usual spiracles which open near the coxae 

 of the fourth pair of legs (Sankey, 1949b). 



