160 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF [-^lav, 



beneath, and the excavation of the posterior piece of the superior lorum 

 of the abdominal pedicel. 



Most of the wolf spiders build no webs of any kind for ensnaring their 

 prey. A few forms {Sosippus, Hippasa), however, construct sheet 

 webs over stones and low bushes with central, funnel-like retreats, 

 much like those of some Agelenidce. In these web-constructing forms 

 there is a strong development of the superior spinnerets, similar to that 

 in the latter family. 



The females without exception enclose their eggs in cocoons, Avhich 

 they carry about attached to their spinnerets until the young hatch. 

 After hatching the young are carried about on the back of the parent 

 until able to shift for themselves with some degree of safety. In 

 making these cocoons the spiders first spin upon the ground a circu- 

 lar disk, which they enlarge usually until its diameter is about equal to 

 -the length of their bodies. A suitable scaffolding of threads is con- 

 structed preliminary to the spinning of the disk. After the basal disk is 

 completed the spider presses out from the genital ducts upon the 

 center of the disk a drop of viscid fluid, into which the eggs are allowed 

 to fall. She then spins over the eggs a covering sheet, fastening its 

 edges to the basal disk. The cocoon is then cut loose from its attach- 

 ments by means of the chelicerae, the ragged edges are neatly taken 

 up and fastened to the wall of the cocoon, and over the whole fresh 

 threads are spun while the cocoon, held beneath the cephalothorax by 

 means of the third legs, is rotated by chelicerse and palps. The result 

 is a neat egg-sac, lenticular in form and showing a distinct seam {Par- 

 dosa), or spherical in form and either -wath a less distinct seam at equator 

 (Pirata) or without a seam evident (Lycosa). 



As a rule the Lycosids born during any season pass the succeeding 

 winter in the half-grown condition, not reaching maturity until the 

 following summer or late spring. The smaller members of the family 

 live but a single year, and during this time build no retreats for them- 

 selves. The larger Lycosas, however, are known to live for several 

 years. Many of these, build burrows, which they close upon the 

 approach of winter by means of plugs or lids. These burrows may ])e 

 mere shallow, nest-like excavations loosely lined with silk or may be 

 deeper, more skilfully executed tunnels. In some cases a rampart or 

 turret is built up about the opening of the burrow, apparently to 

 prevent the drifting in of debris, etc. This rampart may be composetl 

 of particles of sand or earth, or of pieces of straw, grass or sticks. 

 superposed and bound together by means of silk. The same burrow 

 may be occupied by a spider for several seasons, the occupant remodel- 



