270 Mr. R. I. Pocock on the Genera and 
one day I captured an example of a small species as it was 
running on the path in the hot sunshine, investigating the 
external tunnelling of some termites. It seems probable that 
these insects will prove to be their chief food.” And, again, 
‘“T frequently watched the diurnal species of Solpuga 
[S. sertcea] on the Umfuli, while they were out hunting. 
They run along at a great pace, but if undisturbed rarely 
keep up the speed for more than 30 to 60 seconds, when they 
will rest for a few seconds, usually in the shade of a tree- 
trunk or under a projecting stone or dead leaf. If there 
happens to be a small hollow where they stop, they always 
depress their bodies into it so as to keep the abdomen flat on 
the ground. After a short rest they suddenly rush off again 
without the least warning. Often they will stop in mid- 
course and suddenly begin hunting and feeling round a small 
spot. This behaviour always reminds me of a dog checked 
in its course by the scent of some bird or other animal, and 
I have often wondered if these Solpugas hunt by scent, for their 
eyes, though well adapted for seeing an enemy from above, 
would hardly seem to be of much use in detecting smal) insects 
on the ground. When running this species [ S. sericea], with 
its grey colour and the very long white hairs on the hind legs, 
looks like a bit of thistle-down blown along the ground. I 
have several times seen them ascend the trunks of trees to a 
height of ten to fifteen feet, and have often noticed them 
catching those small thick-set jumping spiders [ Attide], and 
less frequently small moths and beetles. But, in accordance 
with my anticipation, I find that they are very fond of 
termites. The only ones I have seen them eat belong to a 
small species which makes no mound, but builds mud tunnels 
along the surface of the ground among dead leaves, sticks, &e. 
When the Solpuga comes across such tunnelling it examines 
along it carefully, then suddenly breaks through the mud 
and extracts a termite, the presence of which it detects, [ 
suppose, by either hearing or touch.” 
Concerning the venom of these creatures the evidence is 
conflicting. ‘A Kafir boy declared them to be very poi- 
sonous, and said he had known of Kafirs dying from the 
bite. One of my Kafirs recently showed me his hand, which 
he declared had been bitten by the large brown nocturnal 
species [S. Darlingit] ; it was very much swollen and painful 
and did not subside until the fourth day. On the other hand, 
Mr. J. M. Hutchinson, of Estcourt, Natal, has kindly made 
experiments on the bite of the common Solpuga there 
[S. hostilis, White] and finds it to be quite harmless, the 
forceps being unable to pierce the tenderest skin.” 
