Ceylon; an Account of the Island Physical, Historical, and Topographical with Notices of Its Natural History Part 62

*furcato-vittata, _Stal_.

Fam. FLATTIDae, _Schaum_.

Flatoides, _Guer_.

hyalinus, _Fabr_.

tenebrosus, _Wlk_.

Ricania, _Germ_.

Hemerobii, _Wlk_.

Poeciloptera, _Latr_.

pulverulenta, _Guer_.

stellaris, _Wlk_.

Tennentina, _White_.

Fam. MEMBRACIDae, _Wlk_.

Oxyrhachis, _Germ_.

*indicans, _Wlk_.

Centrotus, _Fabr_.

*reponens, _Wlk_.

*malleus, _Wlk_.

subst.i.tutus, _Wlk_.

*decipiens, _Wlk_.

*relinquens, _Wlk_.

*imitator, _Wlk_.

*repressus, _Wlk_.

*terminalis, _Wlk_.

Fam. CERCOPIDae, _Leach_.

Cercopis, _Fabr_.

inclusa, _Wlk_.

Ptyelus, _Lep. & Serv_.

costalis, _Wlk_.

Fam. TETTIGONIIDae, _Wlk_.

Tettigonia, _Latr_.

paulula, _Wlk_.

Fam. SCARIDae, _Wlk_.

Ledra, _Fabr_.

rugosa, _Wlk_.

conica, _Wlk_.

Gypona, _Germ_.

prasina, _Wlk_.

Fam. Ia.s.sIDae, _Wlk_.

Acocephalus, _Germ_.

porrectus, _Wlk_.

Fam. PSYLLIDae, _Latr_.

Psylla, _Goff_.

*marginalis, _Wlk_.

Fam. COCCIDae, _Leach_.

Lecanium, _Illig_.

Coffeae, _Wlk_.

CHAP. VII

ARACHNIDA--MYRIOPODA--CRUSTACEA, ETC.

With a few striking exceptions, the true _spiders_ of Ceylon resemble in oeconomy and appearance those we are accustomed to see at home. They frequent the houses, the gardens, the rocks and the stems of trees, and along the sunny paths, where the forest meets the open country, the _Epeira_ and her congeners, the true net-weaving spiders, extend their lacework, the grace of their designs being even less attractive than the beauty of the creatures that elaborate them.

Those that live in the woods select with singular sagacity the bridle-paths and narrow pa.s.sages for expanding their nets; no doubt perceiving that the larger insects frequent these openings for facility of movement through the jungle; and that the smaller ones are carried towards them by the currents of air. These nets are stretched across the path from four to eight feet above the ground, hung from projecting shoots, and attached, if possible, to th.o.r.n.y shrubs; and sometimes exhibit the most remarkable scenes of carnage and destruction. I have taken down a ball as large as a man's head consisting of successive layers rolled together, in the heart of which was the den of the family, whilst the envelope was formed, sheet after sheet, by coils of the old web filled with the wings and limbs of insects of all descriptions, from the largest moths and b.u.t.terflies to mosquitoes and minute coleoptera.

Each layer appeared to have been originally suspended across the pa.s.sage to intercept the expected prey; and, as it became surcharged with carcases, it was loosened, tossed over by the wind or its own weight, and wrapped round the nucleus in the centre, the spider replacing it by a fresh sheet, to be in turn detached and added to the ma.s.s within.

Walckenaer has described a species of large size, under the name of _Olios Taprobanius_, which is very common and conspicuous from the fiery hue of the under surface, the remainder being covered with gray hair so short and fine that the body seems almost denuded. It spins a moderate-sized web, hung vertically between two sets of strong lines, stretched one above the other athwart the pathways. Some of the spider-cords thus carried horizontally from tree to tree at a considerable height from the ground are so strong as to cause a painful check across the face when moving quickly against them; and more than once in riding I have had my hat lifted off my head by a single thread.[1]

[Footnote 1: Over the country generally are scattered species of _Gasteracantha_, remarkable for their firm sh.e.l.l-covered bodies, with projecting k.n.o.bs arranged in pairs. In habit these anomalous-looking _Epeiridae_ appear to differ in no respect from the rest of the family, waylaying their prey in similar situations and in the same manner.

Another very singular subgenus, met with in Ceylon, is distinguished by the abdomen being dilated behind, and armed with two long spines, arching obliquely backwards. These abnormal kinds are not so handsomely coloured as the smaller species of typical form.]

Separated by marked peculiarities of structure, as well as of instinct, from the spiders which live in the open air, and busy themselves in providing food during the day, the _Mygale fasciata_ is not only sluggish in its habits, but disgusting in its form and dimensions. Its colour is a gloomy brown, interrupted by irregular blotches and faint bands (whence its trivial name); it is sparingly sprinkled with hairs, and its limbs, when expanded, stretch over an area of six to eight inches in diameter. It is familiar to Europeans in Ceylon, who have given it the name, and ascribed to it the fabulous propensities, of the Tarentula.[1]

[Footnote 1: Species of the true _Tarentulae_ are not uncommon in Ceylon; they are all of very small size, and perfectly harmless.]

By day it remains concealed in its den, whence it issues at night to feed on larvae and worms, devouring c.o.c.kroaches[1] and their pupae, and attacking the millepeds, gryllotalpae, and other fleshy insects. The Mygale is found abundantly in the northern and eastern parts of the island, and occasionally in dark unfrequented apartments in the western province; but its inclinations are solitary, and it shuns the busy traffic of towns.

[Footnote 1: Mr. EDGAR L. LAYARD has described the encounter between a Mygale and a c.o.c.kroach, which he witnessed in the madua of a temple at Alittane, between Anaraj.a.poora and Dambool. When about a yard apart, each discerned the other and stood still, the spider with his legs slightly bent and his body raised, the c.o.c.kroach confronting him and directing his antennae with a restless undulation towards his enemy. The spider, by stealthy movements, approached to within a few inches and paused, both parties eyeing each other intently: then suddenly a rush, a scuffle, and both fell to the ground, when the blatta's wings closed, the spider seized it under the throat with his claws, and dragging it into a corner, the action of his jaws was distinctly audible. Next morning Mr. Layard found the soft parts of the body had been eaten, nothing but the head, thorax, and elytra remaining.--_Ann. & Mag. Nat.

Hist._ May, 1853.]

_Ticks_.--Ticks are to be cla.s.sed among the intolerable nuisances to the Ceylon traveller. They live in immense numbers in the jungle[1], and attaching themselves to the plants by the two forelegs, lie in wait to catch at unwary animals as they pa.s.s. A shower of these diminutive vermin will sometimes drop from a branch, if unluckily shaken, and disperse themselves over the body, each fastening on the neck, the ears, and eyelids, and inserting a barbed proboscis. They burrow, with their heads pressed as far as practicable under the skin, causing a sensation of smarting, as if particles of red hot sand had been scattered over the flesh. If torn from their hold, the suckers remain behind and form an ulcer. The only safe expedient is to tolerate the agony of their penetration till a drop of coco-nut oil or the juice of a lime can be applied, when these little furies drop off without further ill consequences. One very large species, dappled with grey, attaches itself to the buffaloes.

[Footnote 1: Dr. HOOKER, in his _Himalayan Journal_, vol. 1. p. 279, in speaking of the mult.i.tude of these creatures in the mountains of Nepal, wonders what they find to feed on, as in these humid forests in which they literally swarmed, there was neither pathway nor animal life. In Ceylon they abound everywhere in the plains on the low brushwood; and in the very driest seasons they are quite as numerous as at other times. In the mountain zone, which is more humid, they are less prevalent. Dogs are tormented by them; and they display something closely allied to cunning in always fastening on an animal in those parts where they cannot be torn off by his paws; on his eyebrows, the tips of his ears, and the back of his neck. With a corresponding instinct I have always observed in the gambols of the Pariah dogs, that they invariably commence their attentions by mutually gnawing each other's ears and necks, as if in pursuit of ticks from places from which each is unable to expel them for himself. Horses have a similar instinct; and when they meet, they apply their teeth to the roots of the ears of their companions, to the neck and the crown of the head. The buffaloes and oxen are relieved of ticks by the crows which rest on their backs as they browse, and free them from these pests. In the low country the same acceptable office is performed by the "cattle-keeper heron" (_Ardea bubuleus_), which is "sure to be found in attendance on them while grazing; and the animals seem to know their benefactors, and stand quietly, while the birds peck their tormentors from their flanks."--_Mag. Nat. Hist._ p. 111, 1844.]

_Mites_.--The _Trombidium tinctorum_ of Hermann is found about Aripo, and generally over the northern provinces,--where after a shower of rain or heavy night's dew, they appear in countless myriads. It is about half an inch long, like a tuft of crimson velvet, and imparts its colouring matter readily to any fluid in which it may be immersed. It feeds on vegetable juices, and is perfectly innocuous. Its European representative, similarly tinted, and found in garden mould, is commonly called the "Little red pillion."

MYRIAPODS.--The certainty with which an accidental pressure or unguarded touch is resented and retorted by a bite, makes the centipede, when it has taken up its temporary abode within a sleeve or the fold of a dress, by far the most unwelcome of all the Singhalese a.s.sailants. The great size, too (little short of a foot in length), to which it sometimes attains, renders it formidable; and, apart from the apprehension of unpleasant consequences from a wound, one shudders at the bare idea of such hideous creatures crawling over the skin, beneath the innermost folds of one's garments.

At the head of the _Myriapods_, and pre-eminent from a superiorly-developed organisation, stands the genus _Cermatia_: singular-looking objects; mounted upon slender legs, of gradually increasing length from front to rear, the hind ones in some species being amazingly prolonged, and all handsomely marked with brown annuli in concentric arches. These myriapods are harmless, excepting to woodlice, spiders, and young c.o.c.kroaches, which form their ordinary prey. They are rarely to be seen; but occasionally at daybreak, after a more than usually abundant repast, they may be observed motionless, and resting with their regularly extended limbs nearly flat against the walls. On being disturbed they dart away with a surprising velocity, to conceal themselves in c.h.i.n.ks until the return of night.

[Ill.u.s.tration: CERMATIA.]

But the species to be really dreaded are the true _Scolopendrae_, which are active and carnivorous, living in holes in old walls and other gloomy dens. One species[1] attains to nearly the length of a foot, with corresponding breadth; it is of a dark purple colour, approaching black, with yellowish legs and antennae, and its whole aspect repulsive and frightful. It is strong and active, and evinces an eager disposition to fight when molested. The _Scolopendrae_ are gifted by nature with a rigid coriaceous armour, which does not yield to common pressure, or even to a moderate blow; so that they often escape the most well-deserved and well-directed attempts to destroy them, seeking refuge in retreats which effectually conceal them from sight.

[Footnote 1: _Scolopendra cra.s.sa_, Temp.]

There is a smaller one[1], which frequents dwelling-houses, about one quarter the size of the preceding, of a dirty olive colour, with pale ferruginous legs. It is this species which generally inflicts the wound, when persons complain of being bitten by a scorpion; and it has a mischievous propensity for insinuating itself into the folds of dress.