No. 2.] MENTAL POWERS OF SPIDERS. 419 



cocoon and moved away with it. On the next day, when we 

 placed the two in front of her, she again happened to meet the 

 pith-ball first, and, as before, took it up at once. This time she 

 ran off with it, and it was some time before we could manage to 

 place the cocoon just in front of her; but as soon as we suc- 

 ceeded, and her legs touched it, she stood still, and within a few 

 minutes dropped the pith-ball and took up her eggs. 



It is evident, from these observations, that this spider, when 

 allowed a choice, will select the cocoon rather than the pith-ball ; 

 but in the absence of the cocoon will content herself either with 

 a pith-ball or a web-covered shot. The fact that a spider will 

 carry about so comparatively heavy an object as a lead shot 

 instead of its cocoon certainly argues a poorly developed mus- 

 cular sense. 



Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Nov., 1887. 



