L.EMODIPODA. 211 



every direction, strongly reminds me of the spider monkeys 

 of South America. One needs little systematic knowledge 

 to see that they are highly predatory. Strange, spectre-like 

 creatures they are, or rather skeleton -like, with long, slender 

 bodies, composed of few joints, and wide sprawling limbs 

 set at remote distances — and such limbs ! Two pairs of 

 stout antennae, bristled with stiff spines, project from the 

 head ; then the first and second pairs of legs, but especially 

 the latter, have the last joint but one developed to a great 

 size, while the terminal joint is so formed as to shut down 

 upon it, just as the blade of a clasp-knife does upon the 

 handle. Then, to add to the efficiency of this instrument of 

 prehension, the great joint which represents the haft is 

 armed with a double row of spines set at an angle, so as to 

 make a groove, into which the blade falls, and this latter is 

 cut along each side of its edge into tine teeth, like those of 

 a file. I find several species, even on the same small frag- 

 ment of weed if it be tolerably well peopled with Plumu- 

 larw or Ped'ccettince, some much larger than others, and 

 beautifully mottled with transparent ruby-colour on a clear 

 horn ; and there is a species larger still, of a dull purplish - 

 red hue. But all have pretty much the same manners, ex- 

 cept that the smaller species are more agile. These manners 



