THE HUNTING SPIDERS. 490 



Another species of Wolf-spider is shown in our illustration. This is rather a prettier 

 species than that which has just been mentioned, being of a rich chestnut-brown, with a 

 longitudinal bar of yellow along the body, and a number of yellow spots on each side of the 

 bar, where it runs over the abdomen. The colors of the male are rather duller than in the 

 female. The cocoon of this species is yellowish-brown in color, and contains about fifty eggs. 

 A band of slighter texture and lighter hue surrounds the cocoon. 



One species of this genus, the PIRATE-SPIDEK (Lycosa piratica), deserves also a brief 

 notice. This creature is mostly found near water, or on marshy land. It is very quick and 

 active, and can run on the surface of the water without sinking. If alarmed, it immediately 

 takes refuge below the surface, crawling down the stems of aquatic plants, and can remain in 

 that position for a long time. The egg-packet contains about one hundred eggs, generally 

 rather less, and seems to be no impediment to the activity of the mother, who can run over 

 the water even when thus encumbered. 



The color of the Pirate-spider is rather complicated. The cephalo-thorax is brownish- 

 black, edged on either side by a white band, and having a dull yellow streak along its centre. 

 Along the upper part of the abdomen runs a chestnut patch, edged with white spots, and 

 having an arch-like mark of pure white, the point of the arch being directed towards the tail 

 of the spider. The rest of the abdomen is simple gray-brown. The male is smaller and duller 

 colored than his mate. 



I may here remark, that a full account of these, and many other European Arachnida, 

 may be found in Mr. Blackwall' s splendid work on this subject. 



A handsome spider, termed Dolomedes mirabUis, is found in well-wooded districts. We 

 learn from Mr. Black wall's researches, that the cocoon of this species is of a dull yellow 

 color, smooth within and rough without, and containing more than two hundred yellow eggs, 

 loosely tied up in the cocoon. She carries her yellow burden under the thorax, and supports 

 it, not only by her limbs, but by some silken threads which serve to bind it to the body. 

 When the young are about to leave the cocoon, the mother spins a rather large silken nest 

 among grass or low bushes. This nest is of a dome-like shape, and under its shelter the 

 young spiders are first set free. They immediately cluster upon the silken lines spun by 

 themselves, and remain under the dome until they are strong enough to go out into the world 

 on their own account. 



The color of this fine spider is yellowish-brown, and at each side of the body runs a deep 

 black band, having a narrow white line along its centre. When the female has laid her eggs, 

 she loses these fine tints, and resumes a sober gray color. 



Another pretty species belonging to the same genus is termed Dolomedes fimbriatus. Its 

 body is nearly an inch in length. Like the Pirate-spider, it is found in the vicinity of 

 water. It will often descend voluntarily below the surface of the water, its respiration being 

 conducted by means of the air-globules which cling to the mass of hairs with which its body 

 is covered. 



The cocoon of the female is brown in color, and of considerable size, containing more than 

 two hundred eggs. It is carried, like that of the preceding species, under the thorax. The 

 color of this spider is rich dark brown, with a broad band of yellowish -buff down each side, 

 and a double row of little white spots on the abdomen. The legs are paler, and of a more 

 ruddy hue. 



WE now come to the beautiful Hunting Spiders, a family which is spread over the world. 

 They are the very chetahs, or hunting leopards, of the Spider race, and have the mottled 

 beauty as well as the active limbs of the mammalian leopards. They can all run fast, and 

 have also the power of leaping upon their prey to a considerable distance. They are mostly 

 found upon walls, among stones, or upon leaves. 



The handsome little spider that is called by the name of Eresus dnndbarinus is by no 

 means common, and may indeed be considered as one of the rarest species. It is not very 

 large, being only one-third of an inch in length, but its color is extremely beautiful, the 

 cephalo-thoi-ax being deep velvety-black, edged towards its hinder margin with vermilion, and 



