1873.] F. Stoliczka — Kofes on the Indian Species of TJielypJionus. 127 



Lucas' account of the external anatomy of Thelyplionus is the only 

 reliable one which we as yet possess. Short as it is, it clearly points out 

 the great relation of the genus to JPhrynus, and its essential difference from 

 the scorpions. 



As regards general distribution, I may say, that on the whole, parti- 

 cularly when compared with scorpions, the Tlieh/phoni are rare. I have only 

 observed two life species, T. scahrinus and T. (conf.) angustus. Both were 

 found at the foot of the Sikkim hills in damp places under the bark of old 

 trees. They are crepuscular or nocturnal animals. When disturbed during 

 the day, they try rapidly to escape, slightly raising themselves on 

 their feet, holding up the cheliceres ready for defence, and erecting their 

 caudal seta. Thus they progress very fast and soon disappear in any crevice 

 or hole to which they find easiest access. In the evening they progress very 

 quietly, moving their antennular first pair of feet in advance. When 

 disturbed they stretch out these feet in a curve, and close their cheliceres 

 over the mouth as a kind of protection, lying at the same time quite fiat 

 and motionless. I saw T. scahrinus issuing a peculiar fluid from two 

 internal piloric appendages on each side of the anus, but the fluid did not 

 have any offensive odour. 



Mr. Peal of Sibsagur (Assam), who is an able observer and is always 

 ready to give assistance on any subject connected with natural history, writes 

 to me also that the Thelyphoni are generally found underneath the bark 

 of decayed wood in groups, rarely singly. When first uncovered they 

 (generally) lie perdu and try to pass as some smudge or fungus ; lying close 

 and flat, the legs gathered well together and the cheliceres folded in and 

 closed in front of the mouth. On being disturbed they generally start up, 

 throw out and up their cheliceres, gaping wide, erect the tail and invert it 

 so as to feel if possible any object above them ; sometimes they throw it 

 quite over between the cheliceres. The first pair of feet, he says, seems to 

 act more as feelers them as organs of progression. These animals seem to 

 move either very slowly or very fast. In raising any fragment offered, they 

 hold it aloft and stand well upon their legs, at least for a time. 



Mr. Butler proposed to group the ThelypTioni in three sections, 

 according to the number of denticles on the upper antero-interior edge ef 

 the second joint of the cheliceres. This is apparently a character of great 

 importance, but like all others it is not without variation. I found that the 

 relative proportions of the joints, particularly of the second, third and fourth, 

 are almost more constant than the denticles alluded to. The form of the 

 large spine on the fourth joint, and in fact the total length and ornamentation 

 of the surface of the cheliceres, and the proportionate length of the feet are 

 at least equally important in distinguishing the species. 



