514 
THE PHRYNUS. 
The manner in which the Galeodes kills its prey is really remarkable. The donble set of 
pincers aie shaiply hooked, like the beak of an eagle, and are capable of being separately 
opened and shnt like lobsters’ claws, and of being nsed conjointly to secure prey between 
them , and, moieover, the upper joint of each claw can be pushed far over the lower. TVhen 
the creature seizes a large animal, such as the lizard above mentioned, it buries the pincers in 
the flesh, and deliberately shears its way onwards, each pair of pincers working alternately, 
one pair being engaged in holding the prey and the other in cutting. 
The same Graleodes was then pitted against a little bat, about three or four inches across 
the wings. Though small, it was full-grown and lively. When placed under the glass shade, 
it fluttered about, but was speedily arrested by the spider, which leaped upon it, proceeded to 
drive its fangs into the neck, and clung so tightly that it could not be shaken off. In vain 
did the bat try to beat off the enemy with its wings, or to rid itself of the foe by flying in the 
air. Nothing could shake off the Graleodes ; the long legs clung tightly to the victim, the 
cruel fangs were buried deeper and deeper in its flesh, the struggles gradually became weaker, 
until the point of a fang touched a vital spot, and the poor bat fell lifeless from the grasp of 
its destroyer. 
The next antagonist of this redoubtable warrior was a scorpion, about four inches in 
length. The Graleodes seemed nothing daunted, seized the scorpion by the root of the tail, 
just where it could not be touched by the sting, sawed its way through the tail, severed that 
deadly weapon from the body, and then killed and ate the scorpion, together with its tail. 
There was, however, much uncertainty as to its mode of attack in this instance, for no one 
could exactly ascertain whether it was directed to the one point of safety by chance or instinct. 
Another similar scorpion was then procured and placed in the glass bell. The Graleodes darted 
as usual to the attack, but unfortunately seized its foe by the front. The scorpion imme- 
diately grasped the Graleodes in its nippers, quickly brought its tail over its back, and by a 
well-directed stroke succeeded in stinging its enemy. At the moment of receiving the stroke, 
the Galeodes started back, opened all its limbs, began to quiver throughout its whole frame, 
and rolled over quite dead. 
The color of the Galeodes is palish-yellow, and the tips of the fangs are black. Their sur- 
face is very hard and polished ; and when the light falls upon them, they gleam as if covered 
with burnished gold. In a specimen now before me, the array of hairs with which the fangs 
are fringed glitter as if tinged with the rainbow. 
One species of Galeodes inhabits the New World, being found in Havana, but the 
greater number of them are inhabitants of the hotter portions of the Old World. In India 
the present species is plentiful, and is apt to be rather annoying, 
especially to a new-comer. 
In this engraving is seen a much magnified representation of the 
curious Book-scorpion, or Chelifer, a little arachnid very much 
resembling a tiny scorpion without a tail. The body is flattened, and 
the palpi are much elongated and furnished with a regular claw at 
the end, like that of a true scorpion. The Chelifer is an active little 
being, running with much speed, and directing its course backward, 
forward, or sidewise, with equal ease. It lives in dark places in 
houses, between books in libraries, and similar localities, preferring, 
however, those that are rather damp. It does no harm, however, to the books, but rather 
confers a favor on their owner, feeding on woodlice, mites, and other beings that work sad 
mischief in a library. 
Its genera] color is brownish-red, and it is remarkable that the palpi are twice as long as 
the whole body. This, as well as an allied genus called Obisium, is found in Europe. The 
two genera can be easily distinguished by the cephalo-thorax, that of Chelifer being parted by 
a cross grove, and that of Obisium being entire. 
We are now approaching the true Scorpions, and pause on the way to describe the 
remarkable arachnid which is called Phrynus ( Plvrynus palmatus). In this, as well as the 
BOOK-SCORPION.— Chelifer can- 
oroides. 
