84 AMERICAN SPIDERS 



posture that the male takes, and appreciative of his every claim of 

 beauty." Whereas we reject the sexual selection of the Peckhams as 

 not truly representing the facts, it must be admitted that the final 

 results are the same. Through the elimination of certain males 

 directly by killing them for food, and indirectly by rejecting them 

 as mates, there is an active female selection. 



During their antics, the male jumping spiders make every effort 

 to bring into position the striking features of their bodies. Many of 

 them stretch out their front legs and wave them rhythmically and 

 insistently, or take an imposing attitude with arms outstretched like 

 a semaphore. Others lower these legs and keep them motionless so 

 that nothing interferes with the view of the bands and marks on 

 head and clypeus. Some tilt upward to display an iridescent rose or 

 gleaming metallic abdomen. In some the intensity of the dance 

 verges on frenzy, whereas others perform their pantomime with 

 grace and decorum. Some fascinating descriptions are given by the 

 Peckhams. 



Tutelina elegans is one of the most common eastern American 

 jumping spiders. 



Both sexes are beautiful. The male is covered with iridescent 

 scales, his general color being green; in the female the coloring 

 is dark, but iridescent, and in certain lights has lovely rosy tints. 

 In the sunlight both shine with the metallic splendor of hum- 

 ming-birds. The male alone has a superciliary fringe of hairs 

 on either side of his head, his first legs being also longer and 

 more adorned than those of his mate. The female is much 

 larger, and her loveliness is accompanied by an extreme irrita- 

 bility of temper which the male seems to regard as a constant 

 menace to his safety, but his eagerness being great, and his 

 manners devoted and tender, he gradually overcomes her opposi- 

 tion. Her change of mood is only brought about after much 

 patient courting on his part. While from three to five inches 

 distant from her, he begins to wave his plumy first legs in a 

 way that reminds one of a windmill. She eyes him fiercely and 

 he keeps at a proper distance for a long time. If he comes close, 

 she dashes at him and he quickly retreats. Sometimes he becomes 

 bolder and when within an inch, pauses, with the first legs out- 

 stretched before him, not raised as is common in other species; 

 the palpi also are held stiffly out in front with the points to- 

 gether. Again she drives him off, and so the play continues. 



