448 ARACH NIDA—PHALANGIDEA CHAP. 
family, Gibocellidae, for its reception. No one else appears to 
have seen the animal, or any of Stecker’s preparations of it, 
and Hansen and Sorensen ' adduce grave reasons 
for believing that it never existed at all. If 
this species is to be disallowed, the Cyph- 
ophthalmi all fall into a single family. 
Fam. Sironidae.—These somewhat Mite- 
like Phalangids are rarely met with, partly, 
no doubt, because of their retiring habits 
and small size, the known forms ranging 
Fic. 233.— Parasirvo from 6 mm. to less than 2 mm. in length. 
corsicus, enlarged. Of the seven genera which have been estab- 
(After Simon. ) 4 = : 
lished, Stylocel/us numbers eight species from 
Borneo and Sumatra, and Pettalus two species from Ceylon. 
Ogovia, Miopsalis, and Purecellia have one species each, from 
South Africa, Further India, and the Cape, respectively. The 
only European forms are the two species of Siro (France and 
Austria), and Parasiro corsicus. No species has yet been found 
in England. 
Sub-Order 2. Mecostethi.” 
(LANIATORES). 
Sternum long and narrow. Dorsal scutum leaving at least the 
last three segments free. Openings of odoriferous glands not on 
prominences. The fourth pair of legs usually long and powerful. 
One terminal claw on each of the first two pairs of legs; two on 
the last two pairs. 
The Mecostethi are essentially tropical forms, though a few 
representatives are found in the caves of Southern Europe. One 
family (Phalangodidae) has its headquarters in the hot regions 
of the Old World, while the other two (Cosmetidae, Gonyleptidae) 
are confined to Central and South America. 
Fam. 1. Phalangodidae.— Body piriform or triangular, 
broadest behind. Last ventral segment of abdomen much the 
largest. Very narrow sternum. Eye-turret near anterior border 
of cephalothorax. Chelicerae narrow at base. Pedipalpi long and 
strong. Maxillary plates on first pair of legs rudimentary. No 
stigmata visible. 
The only European forms of this family belong to the genus 
tf, C. ppe 6f-1 9. ° Long sternum (ujKos=length ; or7#0s=breast). 
