Annals of the Transvaal Museum 19 
Of the other genera found in S. Africa, the most widely distributed 
seems to be Gluviopsis, which occurs as far north as Algiers, and extends 
into Asia Minor, Arabia, Socotra and Western India. Daesia also occurs 
throughout Africa (excluding West Africa, from the Congo basin north- 
wards through the coastal countries as far as Morocco, which regions 
are all very poor in Solifugae) and extends into Palestine and Arabia. 
Solpuga ranges throughout Africa, and Blossia seems to have the 
same range: Zeriassa is only known from the tropical parts of South 
Africa, and from East Africa as far north as Somaliland. Ceroma extends 
from the western region of S. Africa, northwards into East Africa. 
Only one genus, Solpuga, is known to me from Natal: however 
Kraepelin has recorded a Blossia from “ Moritzburg” which, as Pocock 
suggests, may mean Pietermaritzburg. 
The distribution of Solifugae is largely determined by conditions of 
humidity. They avoid dense forest, but are common in arid regions, and 
in open bush country, such as that of the Kalahari. I am informed by 
Mr E. C. Wilmot, who writes from Tsessebe, that a species of Solpuga 
(probably monteiroi ) may often be seen in the act of climbing trees in 
search of Cicadas. In the Albany district, they are particularly abundant 
at Alicedale, a warm locality in the valley of the Bushman’s River, where 
scrub and bush prevail. Mr Frank Cruden has kindly furnished me with 
the following brief notes on several species found in that locality: 
Hemiblossia O’neili is found on light gravelly soil near the river, on flats 
broken by occasional thornbushes. They are only seen during the bright 
sunshine of a summer’s day, and then in considerable numbers: they are 
extremely active, and not easily caught, as they seek refuge in small holes 
and crevices on the slightest alarm. Specimens may be captured by 
spraying them with dilute spirits of wine, when the creatures succumb 
at once. 
Blossia unguicornis is never seen in the open during daytime, and 
when exposed to light immediately seeks cover. They are found under 
stones on the flats and hill sides. 
Solpuga lineatus occurs chiefly among the rhenoster bush and other 
scrub, but not in dense bush. On a summer’s day they may often be 
seen lying on stones exposed to the sun. They are sometimes found in 
shallow earth cavities under stones. 
Solpuga Venator occurs on open flats and in broken scrub land. During 
daytime it takes cover under large stones, but at night may enter houses. 
At Grahamstown I have only found one species, 5 . derbiana. It occurs 
on the open flats above the town, frequenting grass veld as well as 
stony lands covered with rhenoster bush and other short scrub. During 
winter months these creatures hide below ground: they emerge in 
numbers during the bright sunny days of October. Rapidity of move- 
ment is their characteristic habit : they run along the ground : they climb 
the low bushes with ease, at times swinging from twig to twig like long- 
limbed apes: they are expert burrowers, using the chelicerae as digging 
organs. Despite their speed they are said to fall a ready prey to kestrels. 
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