402 PECKHAM. [Vol. i. 



the top of the glass. This experiment was repeated at least ten 

 times. 



It is evident that these spiders recognized their cocoons by 

 means of the sense of sight. It was not that the Lycosids 

 could not see their eggs at a distance of a fifth of an inch, but 

 rather that they could not perceive them unless they came into 

 contact with them. 



While experimenting on the color-sense of spiders, we have 

 frequently, while feeding our captives, seen them stalk their prey 

 at a distance of five inches ; and we have repeatedly held the 

 active jumping-spider, Astia vittata, on one finger, and allowed 

 it to jump on to a finger of the other hand, gradually increasing 

 the distance up to eight inches. As the distance increased 

 the spider paused longer before springing, gathering its legs 

 together to make a good ready. 



We have twice seen a male of this species chasing a female 

 upon a table covered with jars, books, and boxes. The female 

 would leap rapidly from one object to another, or would dart 

 over the edge of a book or a box so as to be out of sight. In 

 this position she would remain quiet for a few moments, and 

 then, creeping to the edge, would peer over to see if the male 

 were still pursuing her. If he happened not to be hidden she 

 would seem to see him, even when ten or twelve inches away, 

 and would quickly draw back ; but in case he was hidden behind 

 some object she would hurry off", seeming to think she had a 

 good chance to escape. 



The male, in the meantime, frequently lost sight of the 

 female. He would then mount to the top of the box or jar 

 upon which he found himself, and, raising his head, would take 

 a comprehensive view of the surrounding objects. Here he 

 would remain until he caught sight of the female, — which he 

 often did at a distance of at least ten inches, — when he would 

 at once leap rapidly after her. 



The ocelli of some spiders, then, enable them to see objects 

 at a distance of at least ten inches.^ 



' We quote, in this connection, some observations of Hentz, in which he speaks 

 of the sight of spiders as being acute: "This very common spider (Marptitsa fa- 

 miliarh Hentz), almost domesticated in our houses, by its habits, deserves a longer 

 notice than others. It dwells in cracks around sashes, doors, between clapboards, 

 etc., and may be seen on the sunny side of the house, and in the hottest places, 

 wandering in search of prey. It moves with agility and ease, but usually with a cer- 



