528 Records of the Indian Museum. [Vor. XI, 
ever good the cover they may offer. I have several times chased 
a specimen of P. ceylonicus, variety pusillus, round and round a 
stone in this way for some minutes before being able to catch it, 
when the stone was resting on a mass of others among which the 
creature could have got away with the greatest ease, had it thought 
of doing so. P. ceylonicus, s. sty., and Charinides bengalensis ap- 
pear to be equally prejudiced in this respect. 
When caught, even the large P. ceylonicus is apparently quite 
incapable of inflicting any injury. All species of Phrynichus are, 
however, able to give a distinct (but painless) nip between the 
terminal finger of the second appendages and the distal spines of 
the tibia, and when caught are apt to claw viciously at one’s 
hands as often as they get the chance. 
No stink-glands are known in Tarantulids, and I have never 
noticed any particular smell associated with them. 
What Tarantulids live upon when left to find their own food I 
cannot say; but in captivity cockroaches, crickets, and sometimes 
a green locustid will be taken by Phrynichus. P. ceylonicus, s. sir., 
naturally manages larger specimens than P. ceylonicus, variety 
pusillus, can do. I believe that Charinus bengalensis will take very 
small cockroaches (? and woodlice) and have seen it eat swarming 
termites that have shed their wings. Tarantulids are extremely 
nervous beasts and winged termites are far too active forthem. A 
specimen of P. ceylonicus, s. str., became pitifully panic-stricken 
when one or two of these were placed in its cage, raising itself upon 
its legs with a start every time a termite touched it. 
The following account, based on a particular instance, will 
serve to show how Tarantulids obtain their food. 
A recently captured Phrynichus was sitting under a tile where 
it had been hiding all day, when it became aware of a wingless 
cockroach (Dorylaea rhombifolia) engaged in feeding upon a lump 
of bread in one corner of the cage. The Phrynichus left its retreat — 
and cautiously approached to within a short distance of the 
cockroach when, after extending both arms, it made a sudden 
grab; but only the bread was secured, and this was not appreciated. 
For a few moments the Phrynichus waited in a defiant attitude, 
slightly raised upon its long legs, with its arms partially extended: 
then it subsided flat on the ground again. In the meantime the 
scared cockroach had retreated into another corner of the cage, 
where it was soon followed by the Phrynichus which made another 
grab at it. This time it was caught and brought within reach of 
the chelicerae, with the assistance of which it was finally demol- 
ished. Another cockroach was killed and partly eaten later on 
during the same night, after which the Phrynichus fasted for six 
days, when it ate another cockroach. This fast of several days 
after each meal appears to be the normal habit of all the species of 
Phrynichus I have studied; and the remarkable eagerness which 
newly caught specimens always show for food leads me to believe 
that in the wild state they are rarely able to secure as much food 
as they would like. This suggestion is further supported by the 
