1915.] F. H. GRAvELY : Indian Insects, Myriapods, etc. 529 
difficulty which they always seem to experience in the capture of 
active prey. 
It is very difficult to observe the method of capture on ac- 
count of the rapidity of this action; but repeated observations 
have convinced me that although both arms are shot forwards 
in any attempt to sieze the prey, the actual capture is usually 
between the terminal claw and the spines near the end of the 
second appendage of one side only. As will be seen on reference 
to fig. 28 (pl. xxiv) these spines are so arranged as to form a 
very effective hand, the terminal claw being apposable to the 
proximal of the two long dorsal spines at the distal end of the 
tibia, and the spine on the penultimate joint to the distal of 
these. As the claw and all three spines are rigid and sharply 
pointed it would be not unnatural to suppose that when grasp- 
ing the prey they enter its body in such a way as to render its 
escape quite impossible. As a matter of fact, however, the 
strength necessary for this is apparently absent, and I have seen 
even a soft-bodied cricket unsuccessfully attacked time after time 
as its movements brought it within reach of a Phrynichus; and 
although once or twice it appeared to have been secured by one 
hand the other was never used to assist in holding it, with the 
result that it escaped before it could be brought within reach of 
the chelicerae. 
Once within reach of these appendages, however, all chance 
of escape disappears. The prey, which remains alive for a time, 
is held between the two hands, often with the terminal finger 
embedded in its tissues, whilst parts of it are scooped into the 
region of the mouth by the terminal joint of the chelicerae, the 
sharp saw-like armature of their under surface perhaps being of 
use in severing pieces of a suitable size from the main mass. 
When such a piece had been secured by the chelicerae it is 
thoroughly masticated by vertical, combined with slight longitu- 
dinal, movements of these appendages, which rub it against each 
other and against the gnathobases of the second appendages. 
As the terminal joint is apparently kept closed except when 
required to scoop in a fresh piece of the edible material it is 
difficult to see any use to which the double row of teeth on the 
basal joint can be put. The long anteriorly projecting sternal 
spine no doubt assists in keeping the food from falling to the 
ground when it passes into the immediate neighbourhood of the 
mouth. 
I have only once seen Charinides feed. Unlike Phrynichus 
it captured its prey between the two second appendages, not in one 
hand, the terminal claw and the spines of the hand and finger being 
unable to close against the spines at the end of the tibia (pl. Xxiv, 
fig. 29). The terminal claw pressed into the body of the prey, 
probably penetrating the tissues, and other spines appeared to 
help to some extent. The capture was extremely sudden, and 
the details were only seen by repeatedly removing the captured 
prey until the Charinides became nervous, and acted more slowly. 
