1915.] F.H. Gravety: Indian Insects, Myriapods, etc. 521 
them when they have emerged from their hiding-places in search 
of food. What their usual food is, and how often they get it 
under natural conditions I am unable to say. In captivity they 
appear to feed as often as suitable food is given, suitable food 
being winged termites, small locustids, blattids, etc., especially 
when these are disabled. But of larger insects and of very active 
ones they are easily frightened. A disabled locustid will be 
snatched at eagerly if held in front of a specimen ; when however, 
it is presented alive and kicking Labochirus will extend the second 
pair of appendages as if to seize it, but in reality as a menace, 
and will then back away. 
Food is seized between the second appendages and held 
between them and the head. In the male of this species little or 
no use is made of the chelae, though at times the long movable 
finger may be embedded in the prey and bent over so as almost to 
meet the tibial apophysis. The very long gnathobases of the 
second appendages appear to be of some use in supporting the 
food above the ground and keeping it in the neighbourhood of the 
mouth. In the female the second appendages are much shorter 
and stouter than in the male, and the form of the tibial apophysis 
renders it scarcely possible that the movable finger of the chela 
should be brought into apposition to it ; the gnathobase 1s also 
very much shorter. How far these structural differences affect 
the mode of feeding I am unable to say, as the only female kept 
in captivity, was, I believe, damaged when caught, and died after a 
few days without having taken any food. 
Concerning the part played by the chelicerae in feeding I 
am also unable to say anything, as they were always obscured 
by the anterior end of the carapace and by the food itself; pre- 
sumably they are used much as in Phrynichus (see below). 
Another function of the chelicerae was, however, repeatedly seen, 
namely the use of the brushes with which they are provided for 
cleaning the terminal joints of the legs. Hansen (Arkiv for Zool., 
II [8], p. 8) says ‘‘ The function of such hairs, ‘ blood hairs’, is 
no doubt to intercept the blood of the prey when this has been 
cut to pieces.” Doubtless they function to some extent in this 
way, but their use for cleansing purposes is manifested every time 
a specimen gets its feet a little soiled. 
In Labochirus, and probably in all the Thelyphonidae, the 
antenniform legs are ordinarily held directed forwards and usually 
somewhat outwards in an arched posture. As the animal moves 
along they are lowered from time to time till the tip comes in 
contact with the ground, and then raised again, but the two are 
lowered alternately, not simultaneously. 
I found it very difficult to determine whether these creatures 
drink water, as so many Arachnids do. I believe, however, that 
they do so, and on one occasion I saw a specimen apply its mouth 
to water placed in its cage on a leaf, although it refused to take 
any notice of this until a lamp that was near had been removed. I 
could not see whether any sucking movements were set up or not. 
