EMBIA MAJOR FROM THE HIMALAYAS. 



187 



placed in a glass phial together, do not weave separate and distinct tunnels, hut 

 manufacture one common structure which shelters them all. This faculty of producing 

 silk is developed equally in both sexes. When a nest is disturbed the occupants run 

 rapidly along the tunnels either in a forward or backward direction with equal facility, 

 and frequently take refuge in the underground chamber already referred to. Sometimes 

 when much disturbed they desert their nests and take shelter under neighbouring stones 



They are capable of running very rapidly along the ground, 



or in surrounding herbage 



Text-fig;. 6. 



A. D. Imnis Photo. 



A large and complex nest (no. 70) showing the superposed series of tunnels. The nest was inhabited by 

 ten individuals. The minute black particles overlying the tunnels are the excrementa or " frass " 

 ejected by the insects. (A little less than one-half natural 6ize.) (Westwood Bequest.) 



but in no instance did the males make any attempt to take refuge in flight. In habits 

 they are most probably exclusively nocturnal. Although the herbage was explored by 

 sweeping, no individuals were met with in the daytime outside the nests. 



Prom frequent observations I believe that the primary function of the silken tunnels 

 of the Embiidae is protective. Any predaceous insect which attacks the Embia while 

 within the walls of its tunnel becomes entangled in the silken threads of the latter, 

 allowing the Embia to make good its escape. Grassi and Sandias (1897, p. 64) consider 

 that these tunnels serve to protect the body from too excessive transpiration, and to 



i retain about the Embia an atmosphere not too dry. It is difficult, however, to imagine 

 what difference these delicate tunnels could make in this respect — for instance, during 

 the intensely hot weather that prevails from March to June in the Punjab and United 

 Provinces. At such times of the year the amount of humidity in the air is negligible; 



