SPIDER-LIKE ANIMALS 



373 



Continental species of Millipede (Polyzonium Germanicum) the 

 female, after laying her eggs, coils her body round them and 

 remains on guard till they hatch. 



Sinclair's fascinating observations have been quoted in full 

 in order that amateur naturalists may see the kind of result to 

 which patient investigation may be expected to lead. And if 

 any such are moved to turn their attention to this rather ne- 

 glected group of animals, they will very likely be able, with a 

 little patience, to make interesting additions to our present 

 somewhat meagre knowledge as regards the habits of creatures 

 of the kind. 



LIFE-HISTORIES, &c, OF SPIDER-LIKE ANIMALS 



(ARACHNIDA) 



Most of the animals belonging to this class are oviparous, 

 and there is no metamorphosis, the just-hatched young differ- 

 ing from the adult mainly in respect of size. 



Scorpions (Scorpionidcz) are distinguished from other Arach- 

 nids by being viviparous. The larger species commonly dig 

 large holes in the ground to serve as habitations, while others 

 lurk under stones, beneath the bark of trees, or in any convenient 

 cranny. 



The Spiders (Araneidce) are of much greater interest in the 

 present connection, and it has been suggested that their spinning 

 powers were originally evolved in reference to the construction 

 of investments for the eggs. However that may be, the eggs 

 are laid in a little web, and a sort of bag is then spun round 

 them. In those species where there is no fixed habitation the 

 female often carries the egg-bag about with her, and defends it 

 if attacked. This is the case, for example, in the Wolf-Spiders 

 (Lycosida), in which the egg-bags are attached to the spinnerets 

 on the under side of the body. Staveley (in British Spiders) 

 thus speaks of these forms: "The Lycosee, or Wolf-Spiders, 

 lead an entirely vagabond life, constructing no snares, and carry- 

 ing their eggs, and afterwards their young, about their bodies. 

 . . . The female Lycoscz will fight boldly for the protection of 

 her cocoon, and it is said that if deprived of it she will conceal 

 herself and die. She hatches two broods in the year, in spring 

 and autumn, and has been known to hatch three. The eggs 



