INSECTS AND THEIR NEAR RELATIVES. 1 7 



as is known, our species are nocturnal, remaining con- 

 cealed during the day. They prey upon small insects, and 

 are believed to be harmless. Figure 9 will serve to show 

 the appearance of these curious animals. The popular 

 name, jointed-spiders, is suggested by the segmented con- 

 dition of the abdomen. 



Order Pseudoscorpiones (Pseu-do-scor-pi'o-nes.) 



The Pseudoscorpio7is, 



The pseudoscorpions (Fig. 10) are small Arachnida, 

 which resemble scorpions in the form of their body, except 

 that the hinder part of the abdomen is not nar- 

 row, as is the post-abdomen of scorpions, and 

 they have no caudal poison-sting. The abdo- 

 men is broad, flat, and composed of eleven 

 segments, or in some cases of only ten. 



The pseudoscorpions possess only one or 

 two pairs of eyes, and in some, eyes are want- 



r^-i 1 j1 1 e A ^ Fig. 10. — A Pseu- 



mg. ihey breathe by means of tracheae, doscorpion. 

 which open through two pairs of spiracles on the lower side 

 of the second and third abdominal segments. 



These little scorpion-like creatures live under stones, be- 

 neath the bark of trees, in moss, and in the dwellings of man, 

 between the leaves of books, etc. They run rapidly, side- 

 wise and backwards ; and feed on mites and small insects. 

 They are often found attached to insects, especially to flies ; 

 but they probably do not feed on these large insects, but 

 merely use them as means of rapid locomotion. 



The pseudoscorpions occur in the Northern States as 

 well in the South. 



Order Pedipalpi (Ped-i-parpi). 

 The Whip-scorpions. 



These strange creatures are found only in the extreme 

 southern part of our country, being tropical animals. In 



