242 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



Mahahharata and the Ramayana, were composed, such a thing 

 as a lens was unknown. Even to this day the person who is 

 not a zoologist or microscopist passes through life without ever 

 seeing a Protozoon. As for the parasitic Protozoa causing 

 diseases in man, such an idea is of quite recent date, and in 

 India it is, of course, evil spirits that do all the mischief. 



Arthropoda. — This is the first group of which various 

 members come under our notice. The Crustacea are represented 

 by the little Calling- Crab (Gelasimus), so common in estuarine 

 mud banks. One claw in the male is ridiculously large, bright 

 red, and constantly waved in the air, a habit which has given to 

 the Crab locally the name of the " dhobie " (washerman) Crab. 

 The Centipede must not be killed, because it is believed to be the 

 only son of its mother (women, however, are allowed to kill 

 them) ; neither must Millipedes be slaughtered heedlessly, but 

 for a very different reason, for the propitiatory sacrifices in such 

 a case must equal in number the legs of the victim. Insects are 

 plentiful enough in India in all conscience, and accordingly we 

 find them alluded to for various reasons. The common " Silver- 

 fish " insect (Lepisma), which proves such a nuisance in the 

 bungalow by nibbling books and papers, is no less than the 

 arrow of Eama. Look at the shape of its tail and see 

 the resemblance. Another pest to the European is the Cock- 

 roach, which, however, is always made welcome by the Hindu^ 

 because it is an emblem of plenty and also brings luck. The 

 small Grasshopper, from its bright green colour, is often called 

 the " little Parrot." The Mantis, so well known by its habit of 

 reverently moving its first pair of legs as if intent on its devo- 

 tions, is named the "shepherd" or the "milkman." The 

 common Mole-Cricket (Gryllotalpa) in the wet season frequently 

 enters houses. In connection with this insect there is a curious 

 belief. When a woman is sterile, then it is some kind of insect 

 within her which is preventing conception. In order to destroy 

 it another insect must be introduced alive. G^-yllotalpa is there- 

 fore taken, rolled up in sugar (jaggery) and swallowed whole.. 

 The Mole-Cricket must never be killed, probably for this very 

 reason, and in Tamil its name means the ** child insect," most 

 likely because of its use as recorded here. It is harmless, and 

 its harmlessness has become proverbial. So much, indeed, is 



