ix] WOLF-SPIDERS 61 



apparently counts for something in the case of the 

 Lycosidae. And this is what we should expect. A 

 sedentary spider is informed of the whereabouts of 

 its prey by the sense of touch, through the trembling 

 of the web, but a wolf-spider spins no web and is 

 dependent on the keenness of its vision. 



There is a very prettily marked English Lycosid 

 which is often found on sandhills, in situations 

 particularly convenient for observation. Its name is 

 Lycosa jncta, and it is incidentally interesting as 

 affording a good example of protective coloration, 

 for the sandhill variety is light-coloured and very 

 inconspicuous when stationary on the sand, while an 

 inland variety not uncommon on the dark soil of 

 heaths is of a much darker hue. Carefully scrutinising 

 the firmer sand of the dunes on a sunny June day, 

 I detect a number of small holes the burrows of a 

 colony of these spiders and approaching cautiously 

 I establish myself at full length at a distance of a 

 yard or so on the side away from the sun, in such an 

 attitude that I can observe closely for a considerable 

 time without too much discomfort. The minutes pass 

 and nothing happens, but I know that the cardinal 

 virtue of the naturalist is patience, and I wait. 

 Presently the dark circle of one of the burrows is 

 obliterated it is filled by the sand-coloured head of 

 the spider, coming up to prospect. Other heads 

 appear, and soon one spider, bolder than the rest, 



