IVafrr Spiders i)i CaptivHv 



loi 



again rushed out to the attack. I have not yet seen eitlier 

 spider in the act of capturing any prey, but as the nuni])cr of 

 water-beetles in the aquarium steadily decreases until re- 

 newed, and the spiders are plump and lively, I conclude that 

 Hydroporics pahistris and Co. furnish the arachnid dinner- 

 table with sumptuous repasts. I found one cast .skin, l)ut of 

 which spider I could not tell, probably the larger one. 



As far as I can judge, the spiders are mo.st active at niglit. 

 and they choose for their residence the darkest corners of Hk- 

 aquarium. As the spiders are very well, I am in hopes tliat 

 they will live for some time longer, and possibly enable me to 

 add some further observations to the present notes. 



Since writing the above (in December last), I have made 

 some further observations 



When travelling over the bottom, or on the rock-work, the>' 

 move like other spiders, but when swimming they turn on 

 their backs, and paddle with their legs, the hairs on which 

 must assist this process. They look very funny when thus 

 swimming, as they appear to be making vast exertions to 

 walk upon nothing. They are able to remain below the sur- 

 face, without renewing their stock of air, for a considerable 

 time. I timed the smaller spider one day, and it was forty- 

 five minutes without renewing its stock of air. During the 

 most of this time it was running about on the bottom of the 

 aquarium. This, coupled with their habit of remaining 

 motionless in one spot for an hour or more, would account 

 for the difficulty usually found in meeting with them. On 22nd 

 December, the big spider was very busy with a new web, 

 which it was filling with air. To introduce the air from its 

 sac into the web, it applied the apex of its abdomen to the 

 opening in the lower part of the web, and pressed the air 

 backwards with its two hindmost legs so as to pass it into the 

 web. It spent from 7 p.m. till 7.30 in this occupation, and 

 then after a great rubbing of its legs against each other, got 

 into the web, and sat there evidently in a great state of con- 

 tentment. I have discovered the abode of the smaller spider. 

 It is in a hole in one of the stones, from whence it is very 

 difficult to dislodge it. It seems probable from what Mr. 

 Carpenter tells me, that the large spider is a male, and the 

 small one a female. This will, of course, account for their 

 amiabilit}^ and as they are at the present time (March) .still 

 well, I may have an opportunity of seeing them rear a family. 



