10 Some Lizards and Arachnids of Natal 



Measurements. Width of head-plate 8"4 mm. ; length of tarsus, 

 plus tibia of palp, 8 mm. ; of patella of palp 7 mm. ; of patella of 

 fourth leg 7*25 mm. ; of tibia of fourth leg 6*5 mm. 



Most of the specimens sent by Mr. Chad wick were found running 

 about the shale at midday on 16th December, a very hot day after 

 rains. Juvenile specimens were caught with great difficulty, being 

 very quick in their movements, and often disappearing down holes in 

 the ground. 



Blossia falcifera dolichognathus, Hwtt. (Text-fig. 4). 



This form described from Douglas, C.P., has recently (16th Decem- 

 ber, 1919) been taken at Weenen, Natal, by Mr. J. M. K. Chad wick, 

 who wrote of it as follows : " Without exception, these are found 

 under stones; usually on the outside of the impression made by the 

 stone in a small chamber looking like the run of a termite. They are 

 very easily taken, as they seem to be blinded by the sun and wander 

 aimlessly in circles. I should say they are undoubtedly nocturnal." 

 This is the first record of the genus in Natal. 



Text-fig. 4. 



Blossia falcifera dolichognathus. 



Distal portion of upper jaw of male, shewing isolated group of three enlarged 

 feather bristles at base of flagellum. 



The arrangement of the distal feather bristles of the upper jaw is a 

 noteworthy feature of falcifera. The three distal bristles are consider- 

 ably enlarged, and form a compact group well separated from the rest 

 of the series. The group closely adjoins the base of the flagellum 

 which it apparently protects. Thus, there is considerable resemblance 

 between this arrangement and that found in the genus Ceroma. 



A similar condition is found in B. jilicornis, but in most species of 

 Blossia, and in Hemiblossia, the series of feather bristles is continuous 

 throughout, as in females. 



