888 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XX. 



In this case there were five males in the web. Just after I caught sight 

 of the structure with its occupants in an open grass area, depending from a 

 tall grass stem and a bush, one of the males was seen to descend rather 

 deliberately towards the female, the latter resting head down in the 

 centre of the snare. On reaching the extremity of one extended hind leg 

 of the female, he paused and then advanced again very slowly till he 

 reached the posterior end of her abdomen. After another short pause, he 

 crept very cautiously on to and along it towards the vulva. While so doing 

 one of his legs brushed along the female's side and she pushed it away with 

 the short 3rd leg of that side. This again caused a pause and progress 

 was resumed once more with redoubled caution, but again a leg passed 

 over the side and was again brushed away, but this time there were further 

 quick movements of the other legs of the female. Instantly the male 

 flung himself to the bottom of the web, out of reach of his spouse. The 

 incident passed so extremely rapidly, that I was unable to follow the exact 

 movements, but had no doubt that an attack had been contemplated, and it 

 was obvious the little male was of the same mind, or, at least, was taking no 

 chances. There was no attempt at pursuit. 



No further developments taking place for some considerable time I left 

 the spot. 



At this late date (19th October), it is probable that the female had already 

 paired, which might account for the repulse of unwelcome attentions. 



This occurrence took place at about 30 miles from the location of the 

 other two reported and at an elevation of about 1,800 feet on the banks of 

 the Bhavani river. 



C. E. C. FISCHER. 

 Attapadi Valley, South Malabab, 2£th October 1910. 



No. XLIIL— THE COURTSHIP OF WHIP-SCORPIONS. 



Some years ago, when in Ganjam, I witnessed the antics of two whip- 

 scorpions ( Thelyphonus sepiaris, Butler), which I quite failed to interpret, 

 but which, since reading Fabre's observations on scorpions, I unhesitatingly 

 ascribe to amorous dalliance. 



Fabre describes what he terms the promenade a 1 deux, in which the male 

 scorpion seizes the chelae of the female in his own and walks backwards, 

 the female following usually without reluctance. 



In the case of Thelyphonus, I noticed that one of the pair seized the 

 antenniform first pair of legs with its chelse inserted and held their 

 tips between its mandibles. The pair then moved, more or less, as describ- 

 ed by Fabre in the case of scorpions. The captive seemed, however, some- 

 what reluctant to follow, but still made no effort to escape when released ; 





