OF THE GAMASID.E. 101 



(Fig. 2) for cutting or tearing the inside of their prey ; but I was 

 not able to make this out satisfactorily, the mandibles being 

 darted about with such rapidity. These smaller Gamasids made 

 very free use of their pincers, and sometimes seized the hairs of a 

 brush I used for moving them, and were rather difficult to 

 dislodge ; but Coleoph'atontni has never done' this. I have also 

 seen one of the smaller ones seize a large one by its leg, and 

 allow itself to be dragged several times round the cell before it 

 would let go. Coleoptratorum I found to be very fond of gnats, 

 and indeed seemed to prefer them to the cheese-mites ; but they 

 appear to have fed only by night (and, indeed, since I have kept 

 them well supplied with food, I have not seen any, either large or 

 small, in the act of feeding). They will not touch the ordinary 

 house-fly, or any insect whose skin is at all hard ; but small, soft 

 larvae were eaten during the night. I found, also, on Geotnipcs 

 several very small, soft-bodied mites, all of which were, however, 

 underneath the wings of the beetle — the only place where they 

 would be safe from the Ganiasi. These I placed in the same cell 

 with one or two of Coleopfrafonan, and the next morning all that 

 remained were their empty skins. I think it probable nocturnal 

 feeding would be their habit in a free state, for it seems difficult to 

 imagine a blind creature that does not form nets like the spider, 

 or pitfalls like the ant-lion, being able to catch insects as the 

 hunting-spiders do. But in total darkness the case would be 

 different, for as they run with great rapidity, constantly waving 

 about the first pair of legs, or labial palpi — which are thickly 

 clothed with hairs, and evidently extremely sensitive — they would 

 have no difficulty in capturing some of the smaller insects, such 

 as Podum, which can be found at all seasons under stones, dead 

 leaves, etc. It is also quite possible they may be guided to some 

 extent by smell. 



The Gamasids which attach themselves to Humble-Bees are 

 extremely like the large species found on beetles ; but still, present 

 sufficient points of difference to be easily distinguishable. I am 

 sorry I have not as yet kept any of these in confinement, as I 

 commenced too late in the season, when the Humble-Bees were 

 all dead, or at least very difficult to find, but I hope to be able 

 to do so next summer. 



