COMPARATIVE VIEWS OP VARIOUS MATING HABITS. G3 



Fifth, amorous solicitations proceed from the male, and as a rule tlie 

 female is apparently indifferent to, or a passive recipient of, his advances. 

 There are, however, in this respect, differences among the various species, 

 some females being more complaisant tlian others. 



Sixth, the male is freipientlj' less vigorous in physical°organization than 

 the female, is generally shorter lived, and is provided, in a less degree, 

 with those habits which secure prolonged activity and greater security. In 

 the matter of spinningwork his acquirements are incomplete or rudimentary 

 with many species ; with some, however, this exception does not exist, and 

 the webs spun are as perfect as those of the female. Generally speaking, 

 tliere is a tendency among males of the Sedentary tribes to defective spin- 

 ning industry, while among females the habit is invariably complete after 

 their kind. Among the Wanderers, of course, the chief spinning industry 

 is cocoon making and is thus confined to the female. 



Seventh, in the case of some species, particularly among the Saltigrades, 

 male spiders have the habit of attracting the notice of the females by 

 certain saltigrade or dancing movements, which appear to be conducted 

 with a view of displaying to better advantage certain attractive colors or 

 markings. This habit is noticeably limited to spiders belonging to the 

 group of Wanderers. In the nature of things it could scarcely exist in 

 the case of Sedentary tribes, since the opportunity to display the person is 

 excluded by reason of the habit which limits their life to snare and nest. 



Eiglith, in the period of courtshija. it frequently occurs that several 

 males attend upon one female at the same time. This rivalry is often 

 witliout any special demonstration of hostility between the attending gal- 

 lants, but sometimes results in quarrels which, for the most part, apjjear 

 to be without serious harm to either combatant. The quarrelsomeness of 

 rival males seems to be limited to or greatest in the Wandering tribes, a 

 fact which again probably depends on characteristic habits. Such con- 

 flicts are jjossible with Wanderers, as rival males must come in contact with 

 each other upon the open field in which their loves are prosecuted. But 

 as the amorous movements of Sedentary species must be limited to the 

 snare or nest of the female, opportunities for personal contact are much 

 more circumscribed. 



Ninth, as a rule, the general solitary habit of spiders is manifest also 

 in mating habits. With most species there is no such permanent relation 

 of mates as that which one often sees in vertebrate animals. But to this 

 there are some striking exceptions. Certain species seem to have acquired 

 a degree of domesticity, so that the two sexes are quite invariably found 

 together at all seasons after maturity. In a few cases, it has been asserted 

 that the male possesses so strong a domestic character that he will share 

 with the female the care of the egg cocoons, thus api^roaching the habit 

 of certain birds, fishes, etc., who unite with their partners in providing for 

 and protecting the offspring. 



