132 SPIDERS [CH. XV 



group that might have been selected. There is, of 

 course, a special interest attaching to the study of 

 animals very much nearer to man in bodily structure 

 and mental equipment, but the endeavour to under- 

 stand the actions and appreciate the outlook on 

 nature of creatures far remote from man, however 

 unsuccessful, has its own fascination. 



And this is what the mere collector entirely misses. 

 Collecting is of course necessary, for a complete 

 examination is never possible in the living specimen, 

 and moreover without examples kept as types for 

 reference we should lose our way in the multitude 

 of living forms. But as an end in itself it is of vastly 

 inferior value. The writer will be well content if he 

 has succeeded in arousing the curiosity of some with 

 regard to the humble life that surrounds us, and in 

 stimulating a few who possess the requisite keenness 

 and patience to add to our store of knowledge by new 

 observations of their own. 



