INSECT GLADIATORS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12243, 15 February 1918, Page 6

INSECT GLADIATORS.

SOLDIERS WATCH COMBATS,

Reuter's special correspondent on the Palestine front writes;—

Possibly the majority’ of our troops would be glad to forego such distractions as scorpions and centipedes in their "bivvies,” blankets, and fleabags, but there are some who geo their own back on these nuisances and pander to their sporting instincts at the same time by organising duels between various selected specimens. Anything more interesting than a mortal combat between a big centipede and a. hefty tarantula, or galliodes, is difficult to conceive. It is far moro exciting than the ordinary boxing match. People at home may soon have an opportunity of sharing this sort of spectacle with "our troops, as it is proposed to film some of the contests. The arena is usually the sand-strewn bottom of-a good-sized box. The galliodes is a loathly-looking spider about the size of the palm of ones hand. He is armed with four long, powerful mandibles, which curve downwards, and two feathery antenna which are believed to contain the poison glands. The centipede may bo eight or more inches long. His offensive armament consists of a pair of horny, poisonous nippers, capable of inflicting a very ugly wound, and he has a grip of bulldog tenacity. (One poor fellow Ims been in hospital already five months under treatment for centipede bite, and secondary suppuration continues.) In spite of his short legs as compared with the spider, he is extremely active, and can make snort dashes at lightning speed. Ho can raise himself on his tail and literally hurl himself forward.

M hen two of these gladiators are dropped into the arena they often spend from ten minutes to a quarter of an hour manoeuvring for position. The object of the galliocles seems to be to get behind! his opponent, and if ho succeeds he breaks the focinan’s hack, which spells finis for tho centipedo. But the latter knows his weak spot, and keeps his tail well out of tho way. He swings round as though on a pivot and keeps his nippers towards the enemy so as not to he outflanked. At the same time he makes little dashes at the spider, which the latter Ims to evade by jumping. His purpose is fib get a grip somewhere about the neck or shoulders of tho galliodes, and once ho gets a hold there is no shaking him off. Soon a transparent fluid issues from the wound, and in a little ufliile the spider ceases to struggle and dies. Given a. galliodes and a centipede about equal weight, the chances are about level as to which comes off victor. Possibly there is a shade of difference in favour of the centipede. His armoured coat of horn makes him lass vulnerable. Scorpions seem to have no chance again a galliodes. The latter, if pitted against a scorpion, cleverly nips off his tail, thus rendering him more or less innocuous, and then crushes him to death I have not had an opportunity of witnessing a duel between scorpion and centipede, but it is probable that the former would have all the worst of it. Onr men are always interested in the suicidal tendencies of the scorpion if he finds himself surrounded by flames or any other impassable and menacing barrier. He invariably turns his sting against himself and poisons himself to death. He commits tin's form of hariknri in so determined a manner that there seems little room for doubt that it is a (Uelilierate act and not a consequence of some reflex action over which ho has no control.