und in Texas, U.S.A. Only one
genus of the order is known.

Order 5. Solifugae = Mycetophorae (see figs. 66 to 69).--Dorsal area
of prosoma covered with three distinct plates, two smaller
representing the terga of the 5th and 6th somites, and a larger
representing those of the anterior four somites, although the reduced
terga of the 3rd and 4th are traceable behind the larger plate. The
latter bears a pair of median eyes and obsolete lateral eyes on each
side. Sternal elements of prosoma almost entirely absent, traces of a
prosternum and metasternum alone remaining. Rostrum free, not
supported by either the prosternum or the basal segments of the
appendages. Appendages of 1st pair large, chelate, bisegmented,
articulated to the sides of the head-shield; appendages of 2nd pair
simple, pediform, with protrusible (? suctorial) organ, and no claws
at the tip; their basal segments united in the middle line and
furnished with sterno-coxal process. Remaining pairs of appendages
with their basal segments immovably fixed to the sternal surface,
similar in form, the posterior three pairs furnished with two claws
supported on long stalks; the basal segments of the 6th pair bearing
five pairs of tactile sensory organs or malleoli. The prae-genital
somite is suppressed. Opisthosoma composed of ten somites. Respiratory
organs tracheal, opening upon the ventral surface of the 2nd and 3rd,
and sometimes also of the 4th somite of the opisthosoma. A
supplementary pair of tracheae opening behind the basal segment of the
4th appendage of the prosoma.

(? Intromittent organ of male lodged on the dorsal side of the 1st
pair of prosomatic appendages.)

Families--Hexisopodidae (_Hexisopus_). Solpugidae (_Solpuga_,
_Rhagodes_). Galeodidae (_Galeodes_).

_Remarks._--These most strange-looking Arachnids occur in warmer
temperate, and tropical regions of Asia, Africa and America. Their
anatomy has not been studied, as yet, by means of freshly-killed
material, and is imperfectly known, though the presence of the coxal
glands was determined by Macleod in 1884. The proportionately enormous
chelae (chelicerae) of the first pair of appendages are not provided
with poison glands; their bite is not venomous.

[Illustration: FIG. 66.--_Galeodes sp._, one of the Solifugae. Ventral
view to show legs and somites.

I to VI, The six leg-bearing somites of the prosoma.
opi