25 



The upper mammulffi, it is true, are longer in Lycosa lenta, 

 but I found them to vary in length in others so imperceptibly 

 that I could not adopt any of the three families [229] of 

 Walckenaer, which appear to me quite artificial. These spi- 

 ders are the eagles and lions of the family. They are found 

 SAvarming on the ground, running Avith great agility, a property 

 belonging to those spiders in which the fourth pair of legs is 

 longest. Most are usually found wandering for prey, except 

 when engaged in maternal duties ; others dwell in holes sev- 

 eral inches deep, well rounded and supplied with a ring of silk 

 and little straws, consolidated so as to prevent the crumbling of 

 the earth. I have found one of th6se in the winter which Avas 

 supplied with a lid, and probably they all close the orifice for 

 hibernation. The mother carries its cocoon attached to the 

 posterior part of the abdomen. Small species ramble about 

 Avith these ; but the larger ones watch them in their habitation 

 or under stones. The moment the young ones are hatched 

 they climb on the abdomen of the mother and remain there for 

 a considerable time. They give a monstrous and horrible ap- 

 pearance to the mother, Avhich seems hairy, and tAvice as large 

 as usual. If the parent be touched, or forcibly arrested, the 

 young spiders instantly disperse and disappear. The mother 

 AAdien depriA^ed of its cocoon, seems to lose all her ferocity and 

 activity, but if it be placed near her, the moment she perceives 

 it these poAvers return, and she rushes to the cocoon, which she 

 grasps with renewed vigor. She defends her progeny to the 

 last, and her feet can be torn from her one by one, before she 

 can be compelled to abandon her treasure. Thus can maternal 

 tenderness be exhibited in beings Avhich are relentless to their 

 own species, and even to the sex Avhich gives life to its progeny. 

 It is extremely difficult to distinguish the different species of 

 Lycosa, owing to the infinite varieties in colors, marking and 

 size. Future writers Avill probably clear the confusion which I 

 boast not of having removed during tAventy years of studious 

 attention to this subiienus. 



