132 APTERA. 



ster, will produce a new limb in the room of 

 that which has been torn off. He was led to 

 this persuasion from observing a Phalangium 

 with seven full-sized legs, and an eighth at least 

 two-thirds smaller than the others. 



The Phalangia bear a strong general resem- 

 blance to the insects of the following genus, 

 from which however they may be readily di- 

 stinguished by their striking mandibles extend- 

 ing from the head, and terminating in a move- 

 able fang ; and by the abdomen making one 

 with the thorax, instead of being separated, as 

 in the spiders properly so called. The tarsi 

 also are composed of many pieces in this ge- 

 nus, but of two only in the next. 



The Phalangia undergo no transformation; 

 they always retain the same form, with this 

 difference only, that the legs of the young ones 

 are proportionally shorter than those which are 

 full grown. The different species vary greatly 

 in size; some equalling the larger kinds of spi- 

 ders, whilst others are very minute. All, it is 

 believed, are of a carnivorous nature, and prey 

 upon insects smaller than themselves. Their 



