92 
Gosse, the naturalist, gives an amusing incident that occurred to him. He 
was one day riding in an omnibus, in the corner of which sat a butcher, ‘“‘A man 
got in whose blue gingham coat also indicated the same trade. They were soon in 
conversation. ‘Do you know Jackson’? asked A. ‘No’ replied B. ‘ Where 
does he slaughter’? This reply, says Gosse, gave me a new idea, These men 
evidently considered slaughtering as the only occupation worthy of man’s thought. 
Spiders are just the same. If an Zpeira were to meet a Clubiona probably the first 
interchange of civilities would be, Where do youslaughter?” This again is unfair 
to the spiders since they slaughter only for their own repast. Nor is it exact, for 
spiders are notgiven to gossip. The Zpeira would have eyed the Clubiona with war- 
like propensities, and had either killed the other, she would have eaten her up 
forthwith without hesitation, for spiders are true cannibals. There is no want of 
energy or strength of will in the spider character. Most characteristically does the 
family bear thename of the unfortunate Arachne. Skilful in spinning, and confident 
in their work, they have the courage that would have challenged Minerva hersell. 
And now as if overcome in the trial as she was, they show still the same strony 
feeling of Misarachnos malice that led Arachne in despair to drown herself. I 
must, however, just mention in conclusion that there is one exception to this 
general want of amiability and only one British species, so far as I know—the 
Grass Spiders. They pair, spread their geometric nets, hunt in concert, and live 
in such steady, domestic harmony and peace as to form a bright contrast to the 
general habits of the family, and deserve the observations of any one who will 
attend to them. 
