GENERAL CLASSIFICATION AND STliUCTUKE. 



29 



IV. 



rcrha}).s a few of my readers may become sufficiently interested in the 

 subjects considered in this volume to wish to make personal observations 

 on the habits of spiders, and collections of species. A few hints for the 

 benefit of such jjcrsons may be given. For collectors a small satchel or 

 hand-bag witli a strap by which it can be slung across the shoulder is a 

 most convenient arrangement. This should Ix' furnished with a mnnber 

 of small i)aj)er or wooden boxes, such as are used for putting up [>ills and 

 like drugs. Wide mouthed vials and bottles may also be used. 



Tn capturing a spider, the lid should be removed from the box and 

 the two parts placed one upon one side and another upon the other side 

 of the orb, or above and Ixdow, as circumstances may require, 

 (^aptur- ^Yiien they are gradually api)roached they may be suddenly 

 closed, and the spider will be captured inside the box. Care 

 should be taken to get the spider well inside before the cover is 

 closed, as there is danger of crushing the specimens. Any note or record 

 may briefly be made upon the top or bottom of the box, or it may be 

 numbered and the memoran- 



dum kept in the note book. 

 The imi)risoned spider will 

 keep without injury until the 

 collector has reached his 

 home, when he can make a 

 further personal examination 

 by opening the box carefully 

 and dropping the spider into 

 a glass vessel with steep sides. 



ing- Speci 

 mens. 



Trying 

 Boxes. 



Fig. 18. Example of a trying-box. 



Long test tul)es of several sizes are very 

 convenient for decanting collections from the boxes and, after examination, 

 into, alcohol. 



If one wishes to observe the habits under artificial conditions, a series 

 of wooden boxes may be made with sliding glass covers, as represented in 

 the accompanying cut. These may be ventilated by fine wire 

 cloth or gauze. Such boxes may be made of sizes to suit the 

 habit of the species. For cocooning purposes, eight by ten 

 inches will be large enough ordinarily, and also quite large enough to 

 observe the spinning habits of the smaller si)ecies. Large glass jars of 

 any sort make good homes for trying the manners of many species. 

 ^\'ilen the creature's habit requires, (>arth and sticks should Ix^ inserted. 

 (See Fig. 18.) 



What is still better, if circumstanees will jtermit, the eolkrling boxes 

 may be opened ui)on vines and shrubbery in the garden or grounds. It 

 is not a difficult thing to establish a spidery in this way. The observer 

 may open the boxes promiscuously and allow the spiders to settle their 



