102 SPIDERS [OH. 



remarkable. He seems to be aware at once of the 

 nature of the object which touches him, assuming 

 a threatening attitude if the touch is hostile, or 

 pouncing instantly if hungry and the touch is that of 

 a passing insect. If, however, the insect is lucky 

 enough to escape, it is in no danger of pursuit. 



As in the case of many spiders though by no 

 means of all his courting is not unattended with 

 peril. The tragic fate which sometimes overtakes 

 the male spider has so hit the popular imagination 

 that there is a general impression that the female 

 spider is a confirmed misanthrope and desires the life 

 of any suiter bold enough to approach her. Not at 

 all! We have simply to remember that spiders are 

 carnivorous and prone to cannibalism. If the female 

 happens to be hungry she makes no nice discrimina- 

 tion between an amorous male and a succulent grass- 

 hopper ; if replete, she may find time for the play of 

 softer emotions. The male of D. Jientzi appears to 

 be more or less prepared for a hostile reception on 

 the part of the female, for the thighs of his front legs 

 are furnished with spurs at their extremity and with 

 these he holds back and renders powerless her 

 threatening fangs. 



There is no doubt that the spider's delicate sense 

 of touch resides in the hairs with which both body 

 and limbs are thickly clothed. They are of various 

 kinds fine hairs, bristles, and stout spines and 



