If he had not succeeded in escaping the ferocious female would undoubtedly have eviscerated him.
[Illustration: THE GOLDEN GARDENER: THE MATING SEASON OVER, THE MALES ARE EVISCERATED BY THE FEMALES.] A few days later I witness a similar scene, but this time the tragedy is played to the end.

Once more it is a female who seizes a male from behind.

With no other protest except his futile efforts to escape, the victim is forced to submit.

The skin finally yields; the wound enlarges, and the viscera are removed and devoured by the matron, who empties the carapace, her head buried in the body of her late companion.
The legs of the miserable victim tremble, announcing the end.

The murderess takes no notice; she continues to rummage as far as she can reach for the narrowing of the thorax.