GALEODES. 



43 



CASE about, but was speedily arrested by the spider, which leaped upon 

 it, proceeded to drive its fangs into the neck, and clung so tightly 

 that it could not be shaken off. In vain did the bat try to beat 

 off the enemy with its wings, or to rid itself of the foe by flying in 

 the air. Nothing could shake off the Galeodes ; the long legs 

 clung tightly to the victim, the cruel fangs were buried deeper and 

 deeper into its flesh, the struggles gradually became weaker, until 

 the point of a fang touched a vital spot, and the poor bat fell 

 lifeless from the grasp of its destroyer. 



"The next antagonist of this redoubtable warrior was a scorpion 

 about four inches in length. The Galeodes seemed nothing 

 daunted, seized the scorpion by the root of the tail, just where it 

 could not be touched by the sting, sawed its way through the tail, 

 severed that deadly weapon from the body, and then killed and 

 ate the scorpion, together with its tail. 



" There was, however, much uncertainty as to its mode of attack 

 in this instance, for no one could exactly ascertain whether it was 

 directed to the one point of safety by chance or instinct. Another 

 similar scorpion was then procured and placed in the glass bell. 

 The Galeodes darted as usual to the attack, but unfortunately 

 seized its foe by the front. The scorpion immediately grasped the 

 Galeodes in its nippers, quickly brought its tail over its back, and 

 by a v/ell-directed stroke succeeded in stinging its enemy. At 

 the moment of receiving the stroke, the Galeodes started back, 

 opened all its limbs, began to quiver throughout its whole frame, 

 and rolled over quite dead." 



Family ARANEID^E (Spiders). 

 CASE The spiders come strictly within the limits of Economic Ento- 

 mology as beneficial insects. They are among the most powerful 

 insect-friends of man, and they contribute more perhaps than any 

 other family to check the too rapid multiplication of insects. 

 They derive their chief sustenance from them, securing thein in 

 various ways, some by pure hunting and speed, others by watching 



