12 The South JustraUan Naturalist. 



takes dozens of these unpleasant insects to make a meal for 

 itself, therefore it should never be ruthlessly destroyed. No 

 serious results arise from its bite, as I have frequently experi- 

 enced a nip from the species, and nothing more than a couple 

 of hours' irritation and a slight swelling has ensued. But let 

 me here state that whoever seeks knowledge of spiders' habits 

 must not make little of a spider's bite. Many kinds resemble 

 each other closely, but are not nearly the same when the bite is 

 experienced. If the wound be pricked with a needle and a 

 little strong liquid ammonia applied one can nearly always be 

 sure of safety. 



These strong, beautiful nocturnal creatures are savage and 

 game to the end. When no longer able to stand, it lies on 

 sand at the bottom of the cage; just a touch with the finger, 

 and the strong jaws are instantly opened savagely, and it strikes 

 out with its big hopping legs. They die very slowly, lying the 

 whole day without moving, unless touched. Some make con- 

 vulsive movements, as if caused by a spasm of pain, wiien they 

 first lie on the sand. 



The females do not live very long after they have finished 

 laying. The males do not get the chance of a natural death; 

 the females see to that. They are most plentiful from Novem- 

 ber to the end of December, and they seem to live only a year. 

 The rustling sound made by the locusts when trying to frighten 

 anything away is not made by shaking the body against the 

 wings, for the young wingless creatures can make the same 

 noise. The tip of the abdomen is bent forward, thereby extend- 

 ing the segment rings and giving the top part a rounded appear- 

 ance. It is really the rapid extension and pushing together of 

 these segment rings that causes the rustling sound. 



FOB SALE. 



Members are notified that a microscope, lately owned by 

 the Rev. D. T. Whalley, is for sale. Particulars may be ascer- 

 tained from the Rev. G. H, Wright, Stow Church, Adelaide. 



