20 THE STUDY OF FN SECTS. 



of six segments, and is without a tail-like appendage ; it 

 is broadly joined to the cephalothorax. 



The eyes of the Harvestmen are two in number, and 

 are situated on a prominent tubercle near the middle of 

 the cephalothorax. The mandibles are pincer-like. The 

 maxillae are large, and so opposed as to act as jaws ; their 

 palpi are four-jointed, and are small compared with the palpi 

 of the preceding orders ; they resemble in form and func- 

 tion the palpi of insects. The members of this order 

 breathe by tracheae, which open by a single pair of spir- 

 acles, on the lower side of the body at the junction of 

 the cephalothorax and abdomen. 



The Harvestmen feed on small insects, especially Aphids, 

 and are perfectly harmless. They are said to devour their 

 prey, chewing it with their maxillae, and swallowing it, 

 instead of merely sucking out the blood, as do most other 

 Arachnida. 



Although the Harvestmen have stilt-like legs, they do 

 not raise the body much above the ground when they 

 walk, but carry it quite near their feet, with the middle 

 part of their legs high in the air. They are said to pounce 

 upon their prey as does a cat upon a mouse, and seize 

 it with their palpi as if with hands. 



It is a common practice with children to catch these 

 creatures and say to them, " Grandfather Graybeard, tell 

 me where the cows are, or I'll kill you." As the poor 

 frightened animal points its legs in all directions in its 

 frantic efforts to escape, it usually earns its freedom ; but 

 too often it is not without the loss of one or more legs. 



Order ARANEIDA (Ar-a-ne'i-da). 



The Spiders. 



The Spiders differ from other Arachnida in having the 

 abdomen unsegmented and joined to the cephalothorax 

 by a short, narrow stalk. The cephalothorax is also un- 



