8 THE MICROSCOPE. Jan. 
various shapes furnished with numerous spines and ap- 
pendages.” 
Then in figure 48 it shows the palpal organ of another 
spider which very much resembles the mounted one un- 
der examination, The writer says: ‘Fig. 48, is the pal- 
pus of another spider where the outer tube is so long that 
it is coiled up over the basal part of the bulb: (the lariat) 
and the end rests on a strong spine (the piercer) at one 
side of the palpus. 
Not only the terminal points of the palpi but also the 
next; and sometimes the next two joints are modified in 
shape with the development of the palpal organ. The 
shape of these organs is very constant in the. same 
species of spider, and thus becomes one of the most con- 
venient marks of sucha group.” 
The uses of the palpal organs are indicated in the fol- 
lowing quotation: When the reproductive cells of the 
male spider are mature, he discharges the liquid contain- 
ing them on a little web spun for the purpose, dips his 
palpal organs into it, and in a few moments takes up the 
whole, it is supposed into the little sacs, inside the bulb. 
Then he seeks the female and inserts the palpal organs in- 
to the epygnum. 
The soft part at the base of the organ swells up, and 
presses in the discharge tube and probably forces out 
the contents of the bulb into the spermathecal from 
which it escapes in course of time into the oviduct, and 
fertilizes the eggs about the time they are laid. One 
palpal organ is usually inserted ata time, and after a 
while taken out and replaced by the other: this change | 
may be repeated many times by the same spider.” . 
To Drill Holes in Glass.—Moistena spot through which 
the hole is to be made with a mixture of 25 parts oxalic acid 
and 12 parts turpentine. Keepin acool place. The hole 
may be made with an ordinary drill. 
