1903.] NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 85 



Data could also be given, and I have them in full, for the other 

 females kept, but this case is sufficient to show the persistence of the 

 male in his courtship, and the preference of the female for particular 

 males. 



The process of copulation was seen only twice, namely 9 No. 63 

 with d^ Nos. 62 and 173. May 8 I placed c? No. 63 in her cage 

 at 5.00 P.M., and at 5.15 he commenced his courtship and continued 

 it until 6.00, pursuing her about. About 6.05 they came face to face, 

 and remained so motionless until 6.24. Then he slowly reached out 

 his first pair of legs and touched her abdomen, when she depressed 

 her body to the floor (otherwise in her usual attitude) ; he walked over 

 her head from in front and took a position upon her so that his head 

 was pointed in the reverse direction of hers, his chelicera immediately 

 above the pedicel of her abdomen, while the pedicel of his was above 

 her head. The female with her head almost touching the floor, 

 abdomen slightly deflected upward, and legs flexed rather closely to 

 the body; the male embracing her closely around the cephalothorax 

 with his second and third pairs of legs, the feet of the other pairs rest- 

 ing on the ground. This embrace was maintained and the female 

 remained motionless through the whole process, from 6.25 to 6.34. 

 The palpi were applied to the epigynum one at a time, as follows: 

 The long axis of the male made a small angle with that of the female 

 (both seen directly from above), so that his head region came to lie 

 a little to one side of as well as above the pedicel of her abdomen. 

 When his left side was thus turned toward the left side of her body, 

 both his palpi were thrown over on that side of her also, but only the 

 left palpus (the one closest to her) was applied; when his right side 

 was inclined toward her right side, both his palpi were also placed on 

 that side of her, but only the right one applied. When he used the 

 right palpus she flexed her abdomen on its long axis so as to bring 

 the right epigynal aperture more dorsal; when he used the left palpus, 

 she would similarly flex the left side of her abdomen dorsad. One 

 palpus would be apphed to the epigynum several times in succession, 

 after each application being withdrawn and worked with his chelicera ; 

 then the other palpus would be similarly used, after he had inclined 

 his body toward her other side. The palpi were thus alternated sev- 

 eral times. At 6.34 the female rose suddenly, assumed a hostile 

 attitude, and the male ran off. 



On June 1 I introduced cJ* No. 173 at 2.38 P.M. to the same female. 

 He started immediately to court; she for a minute held her first pair 

 of legs elevated in the air (attitude of guard and hostility), then de- 



