42 
between the thorax and abdomen. The antennz are 
short, the eyes small, and the mouth is furnished 
with a retractile proboscis. They are parasites on 
the bodies of men and other animals, and lay their 
eggs (called nits) on the hair. | 
Fediculus capitis which lives in the hair of the 
human head, is pale grey. The female lays fifty 

| eggs, which hatch in six days; and the you 
| eggs themselves in eighteen days more. 
The Bird-Lice, as an example of 4 
which we have figured Menops pallidum, +} 
the Poultry Louse, belong to another section 
(Mallophaga), and are sometimes rather inappropriately 
| placed among the Neuroptera. 

Class Arachnida. 
Plate XXIII 
Wingless animals, without antenne., The body 
is either separated into cephalothorax and abdomen, 
or is undivided. They breathe by means of lungs 
The eyes are simple, but differ much 
in number und position, 
or trachex, 
The skin is generally soft 
and leathery, and there are four pairs of jointed legs. 
Order I. 
The abdomen is jointed, and fused with the 
rest of the body. The skin is hard, and the palpi 
resemble pincers or claws. The animals are carni- 
vorous, and generally prefer dark places. 
Family I. Scorpionid#. The cephalothorax is 
shield-like, and the abdomen is cylindrical, jointed, 
swollen at the end, and provided with a curved 
sting, which has an opening at the extremity com- 
municating with a poison-gland. The palpi are many- 
jointed, and terminate in pincers with which the animals 
seize their prey. They breathe through lungs, and 
produce their young alive. The largest and most 
venomous scorpions are found in hot countries, but 
there are a few small and comparatively harmless spe- 
cies in the South of Europe. One of these is 
Fig. d.  <Axdroctonus occitanicus, which is 
brownish yellow, with the tip of the tail black. ,It 
is found on the shores of the Mediterranean, espe- 
cially in South France and Spain. 
Fam. IH. Pseudoscorpionide. These are small noc- 
turnal animals, witha cylindrical, many-jointed abdomen 
and pincer-like palpi, They are found in dry places. 
Order II. 
In the Spiders, the jointed abdomen is separated 
from the cephalothorax. They have hooked upper 
jaws, no antenne, a pair of pedipalpi, four pairs 
of true legs, more than two eyes, and one or more 
pairs of spinnerets on the abdomen. They are covered 
with a soft but tough skin, and they breathe by means 
of lungs or tracheze, Spiders are to be found every- 
where, and spin their webs in every corner. They 
prey upon living animals, which they either capture 
openly, or ensnare in their nets. They lay eggs, 
which are often found enclosed in very artificially- 
constructed cases; but the young spiders undergo 
no metamorphosis. They resemble the old ones, but 
grow very slowly. 
Family I. Territellarie. The Trap-door and 
Bird-eating Spiders have 4 spinnerets and 8 eyes. 
They are large and hairy, with large pedipalpi and 
(right side). 
Most of the species live on land, though some are 
aquatic. Some feed on the juices of animals, and 
Most of the species are vora- 
and many are venomous, There no 
metamorphosis, but they undergo a succession of 
moults. 
others are parasitic. 
cious , iS 

Arthrogastra. 
Fig. e. Chelifer cancroides is reddish-brown 
with a broad abdomen, and is found among herbaria, 
in old books, and in similar situations, where it feeds 
on mites &c., and often attaches itself by its claws 
to the legs of flies, which thus convey it from place 
to place. 
Family Ill. Phalangiide. In the Harvest Men 
all the portions of the body are fused together. The 
abdomen is jointed, and the legs are very long and 
slender. They have only two eyes, and no spinning- 
glands. They are nocturnal animals. The legs are 
easily broken off, and continue to jerk for some little 
time afterwards. 
Phalangium 
opilio has a body 
about the size of a 
pea, and very long 
and slender legs, 
conspicuous pincers, 
and filiform palpi. ‘ 
It is common everywhere, and feeds on small insects 


Araneida. 
palpi. They live in burrows in the ground, which 
they line with silk, and often close with a trap-door, 
or else they live in crevices. They seize their prey 
by leaping upon it. 
Theraphosa avicularia is a very large South 
American spider, which hides in hollow. trees, and 
sometimes feeds on small birds. The body is short 
and very hairy, and the legs are very long and strong. 
Family Il. Citrigrada. The Hunting Spiders 
are of large size, and have 8 eyes and short hair. 
They live in holes, and leap upon their prey. 
Fig. f. Lycosa tarantula is a large hairy spider, 
common in Italy and on the shores of the Mediter- 
ranean generally, which was formerly much dreaded 
for its poisonous bite, which was supposed to pro- 
duce convulsive dancing. 

