303 



iu others (orenerally, I believe, in old specimens) the red widens out in the center, so 

 as to present the appearance of a cross ; others have red and white dots at irrejrulai 

 intervals along the margins of the red stripe. 



The male has a narrow line of yellow on the back, usually flanked by a similar 

 but less distinct line on each side. 



The cocoou exhibited was a fair specimen of that ordinarily produced by the Kat- 

 ipo; it was spun two days after the specimens were captured. 



The author had frequently reared young spiders of this species and found that the 

 breeding season appeared to extend from September to March. The young usually 

 escape from the cocoon in about sixty days after the eggs are laid. When first 

 hatched they are white, with dark brown spots on the body ; these spots vary in 

 number, but are generally arranged in two distinct lines. As the animals grow, the 

 body assumes a yellowish color, and the red stripe appears on the back, but not so 

 well defined as in the adult specimen. 



During the whole of the time from the day the eggs are laid to the appearance of 

 the young brood, the female keeps near the cocoon, and, although she kills any in- 

 sects that come within reach, seldom eats any of them ; but, following a practice 

 common amongst some groups of spiders, she generally devours her husband. The 

 author supposed that was her way of preventing marriage being a failure. 



Sir James Hector remarked that he had kept Katipos alive for a long time ; cocoons 

 were spun and young brought out, but as soon as they appeared the female ate most of 

 them, so that it was evident her cannibalistic practices were not confined to eatino' her 

 husband. The poison of the Katipo had some very peculiar properties which had not 

 yet been fully investigated. The spider was common iu the northern part of the col- 

 ony, and bad been heard of as far south as Foveaux Strait. He had heard of a person 

 who was bitten being paralyzed for six weeks afterwards. It seemed that a gen- 

 eral constitutional change was produced by the bite, not merely a local inflammation, 

 and the numbed feeling extends all over the body for even months. The Tarantula 

 produced intoxication by its bite, quite a different effect from the Katipo sting. He 

 urged members to pursue a systematic course of investigation in regard to the nature 

 of the poison, and the way in whicb it acted, but to be very careful not to operate 

 on human subjects. 



We may also state that in a recent conversation, Mr. Henry Edwards, 

 who has spent many years in Australia, and has just returned from a 

 year's sojourn there, declared that he had no doubt of the poisonous na- 

 ture of the Katipo, of which he has had personal evidence. 



POPULAR NAMES OF INSECTS. 



We should be glad to learn from our correspondents in different parts 

 of the country concerning the popular names iu vogue iu their respec- 

 tive localities for the following insects, each of which seems to have a 

 multiplicity of local designations: The Praying or Carolina Mantis 

 [Stagmomantis Carolina), the Wheel Bug {Prionidus cristatus), the Hell- 

 grammite Fly {Corydalus cornutus), the Walking-stick {Biaplieromera 

 femorata), and any of the Dragon Flies. 



OBITUARY. 



It is with great regret that we learn of the recent death of our corre- 

 spondent, Mr. E. T. Atkinson, accountant-general of Bengal, and 

 president of the board of trustees of the Indian museum, who died at 

 Calcutta on September 15, after a short illness from Bright's disease. 



