in ANIMAL LIFE IN THE TROPICAL FORESTS 291 



their special haunts, and seldom attract so much attention as 

 the groups already referred to. More prominent are the 

 wingless tribes, such as spiders, scorpions, and centipedes. 

 The wanderer in the forest often finds the path closed by large 

 webs almost as strong as silk, inhabited by gorgeous spiders 

 with bodies nearly two inches long and legs expanding six 

 inches. Others are remarkable for their hard flat bodies, 

 terminating in horned processes which are sometimes long, 

 slender, and curved like a pair of miniature cow's horns. 

 Hairy terrestrial species of large size are often met with, the 

 largest belonging to the South American genus Mygale, which 

 sometimes actually kill birds, a fact which had been stated 

 by Madame Merian and others, but was discredited till 

 Mr. Bates succeeded in catching one in the act. The small 

 jumping spiders are also noticeable from their immense 

 numbers, variety, and beauty. They frequent foliage and 

 flowers, running about actively in pursuit of small insects ; 

 and many of them are so exquisitely coloured as to resemble 

 jewels rather than spiders. Scorpions and centipedes make 

 their presence known to every traveller. In the damp 

 forests of the Malay islands are huge scorpions of a greenish 

 colour and eight or ten inches long ; while in huts and houses 

 smaller species lurk under boxes and boards, or secret them- 

 selves in almost every article not daily examined. Centipedes 

 of immense size and deadly venom harbour in the thatch of 

 houses and canoes, and will even ensconce themselves under 

 pillows and in beds, rendering a thorough examination 

 necessary before retiring to rest. Yet with moderate pre- 

 cautions there is little danger from these disgusting insects, as 

 may be judged by the fact that during twelve years' wander- 

 ings in American and Malayan forests the author was never 

 once bitten or stung by them. 



General Observations on Tropical Insects 

 The characteristics of tropical insects that will most attract 

 the ordinary traveller are, their great numbers, and the 

 large size and brilliant colours often met with. But a more 

 extended observation leads to the conclusion that the average 

 of size is probably but little greater in tropical than in 

 temperate zones, and that, to make up for a certain proper- 



