56 



INSECT LIFE. 



The harvestmen (Fig. 27) are also abundant in 

 most parts of our country. These feed on small in- 



FlG. 27. — A harvestman. 



sects, especially aphids, and are perfectly harmless. 



They are sometimes called "grandfather graybeards." 

 Scorpions (Fig. 28) are common in the southern 

 portions of the United States, 

 but are not found in the North. 

 They feed upon spiders and 

 large insects, which they seize 

 with the large pincers of their 

 palpi, and sting to death with 

 a poison sting, which is at the 

 hind end of the body. 



The mites are mostly very 

 small. They differ from other 



Fig. z8. — ^A scorpion. 



Fig. 29. — An itch mite : a, from below ; b, 

 from above. 



Arachnids in having the abdomen fused with the 

 cephalothorax (Fig. 29). Certain velvety red species 



