614 THE PHRYNUS. 



The manner in which the Galeodes kills its prey is really remarkable. The double set of 

 pincers are sharply hooked, like the beak of an eagle, and are capable of being separately 

 opened and shut like lobsters' claws, and of being used conjointly to secure prey between 

 them ; and, moreover, the upper joint of each claw can be pushed far over the lower. "When 

 the creature seizes a large animal, such as the lizard above mentioned, it buries the pincers in 

 the flesh, and deliberately shears its way onwards, each pair of pincers working alternately, 

 one pair being engaged in holding the prey and the other in cutting. 



The same Galeodes was then pitted against a little bat, about three or four inches across 

 the wings. Though small, it was full-grown and lively. When placed under the glass shade, 

 it fluttered about, but was speedily arrested by the spider, which leaped upon it, proceeded to 

 drive its fangs into the neck, and clung so tightly that it could not be shaken off. In vain 

 did the bat try to beat off the enemy with its wings, or to rid itself of the foe by flying in the 

 air. Nothing could shake off the Galeodes ; the long legs clung tightly to the victim, the 

 cruel fangs were buried deeper and deeper in its flesh, the struggles gradually became weaker, 

 until the point of a fang touched a vital spot, and the poor bat fell lifeless from the grasp of 

 its destroyer. 



The next antagonist of this redoubtable warrior was a scorpion, about four inches in 

 length. The Galeodes seemed nothing daunted, seized the scorpion by the root of the tail, 

 just where it could not be touched by the sting, sawed its way through the tail, severed that 

 deadly weapon from the body, and then killed and ate the scorpion, together with its tail. 

 There was, however, much uncertainty as to its mode of attack in this instance, for no one 

 could exactly ascertain whether it was directed to the one point of safety by chance or instinct. 

 Another similar scorpion was then procured and placed in the glass bell. The Galeodes darted 

 as usual to the attack, but unfortunately seized its foe by the front. The scorpion imme- 

 diately grasped the Galeodes in its nippers, quickly brought its tail over its back, and by a 

 well-directed stroke succeeded in stinging its enemy. At the moment of receiving the stroke, 

 the Galeodes started back, opened all its limbs, began to quiver throughout its whole frame, 

 and rolled over quite dead. 



The color of the Galeodes is palish-yellow, and the tips of the fangs are black. Their sur- 

 face is very hard and polished ; and when the light falls upon them, they gleam as if covered 

 with burnished gold. In a specimen now before me, the array of hairs with which the fangs 

 are fringed glitter as if tinged with the rainbow. 



One species of Galeodes inhabits the New World, being found in Havana, but the 

 greater number of them are inhabitants of the hotter portions of the Old World. In India 



the present species is plentiful, and is apt to be rather annoying, 

 especially to a new-comer. 



In this engraving is seen a much magnified representation of the 

 curious BOOK-SCOKPION, or CHELIFER, a little arachnid very much 

 resembling a tiny scorpion without a tail. The body is flattened, and 

 the palpi are much elongated and furnished with a regular claw at 

 the end, like that of a true scorpion. The Chelifer is an active little 



BOOK-SCORPION.- cheiifer can- bein &' runnin g with mucn sp 6 ^ and directing its course backward, 



forward, or sidewise, with equal ease. It lives in dark places in 

 houses, between books in libraries, and similar localities, preferring, 



however, those that are rather damp. It does no harm, however, to the books, but rather 



confers a favor on their owner, feeding on woodlice, mites, and other beings that work sad 



mischief in a library. 



Its general color is brownish-red, and it is remarkable that the palpi are twice as long as 



the whole body. This, as well as an allied genus called Obisium, is found in Europe. The 



two genera can be easily distinguished by the cephalo-thorax, that of Chelifer being parted by 



a cross grove, and that of Obisium being entire. 



WE are now approaching the true Scorpions, and pause on the way to describe the 

 remarkable arachnid which is called PHRYNUS (Phrynus palmatus). In this, as well as the 



