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in ANIMAL LIFE IN THE TROPICAL FORESTS 291their special haunts, and seldom attract so much attention asthe groups already referred to. More prominentare thewingless tribes, such as spiders, scorpions, and centipedes.The wanderer in the forest often finds the path closed by largewebs almost as strong as silk, inhabited by gorgeous spiderswith bodies nearly two inches long and legs expanding sixinches. Others are remarkable for their hard flat bodies,terminating in horned processes which are sometimes long,slender, and curved like a pair of miniature cow's horns.Hairy terrestrial species of large size are often met with, thelargest belonging to the South American genus Mygale, whichsometimes actually kill birds, a fact which had been statedby Madame Merian and others, but was discredited tillMr. Bates succeeded in catching one in the act. The smalljumping spiders are also noticeable from their immensenumbers, variety, and beauty. They frequent foliage andflowers, running about actively in pursuit of small insects ;and many of them are so exquisitely coloured as to resemblejewels rather than spiders. Scorpions and centipedes maketheir presence known to every traveller. In the dampforests of the Malay islands are huge scorpions of a greenishcolour and eight or ten inches long while in huts and houses;smaller species lurk under boxes and boards, or secret themselvesin almost every article not daily examined. Centipedesof immense size and deadly venom harbour in the thatch ofhouses and canoes, and will even ensconce themselves underpillows and in beds, rendering a thorough examinationnecessary before retiring to rest. Yet with moderate precautionsthere is little danger from these disgusting insects, asmay be judged by the fact that during twelve years' wanderingsin American and Malayan forests the author was neveronce bitten or stung by them.General Observations on Tropical InsectsThe characteristics of tropicalinsects that will most attractthe ordinary traveller are, their great numbers, and thelarge size and brilliant colours often met with. But a moreextended observation leads to the conclusion that the averageof size is probably but little greater in tropical than intemperate zones, and that, to make up for a certain proper-