SPIDERS. 255 



species of Linyphia just alluded to have no popular 

 names, as indeed is the case with nearly all the species 

 to which we shall have occasion to refer. 



One species, not uncommon, belongs to a small 

 group having a peculiar modification of structure to 

 suit its condition of life. This is called Ciniflo atrox. 

 The modification consists in each hind leg being 

 furnished towards the extremity with two parallel rows 

 of movable spines, which are used as a curling ap- 

 paratus. The snare is composed of silky threads, 

 some of which are elaborately curled by means of the 

 curling-spines just alluded to. The entire length of 

 the spider is about three-eighths of an inch, and 

 amongst other places it is found under the bark of 

 old trees, It is worthy of note that this spider has 

 an additional, or fourth pair of spinners. 



The hunting spiders are very pretty little creatures, 

 rather elaborately coloured and marked, and often 

 singular in form. One of the species is well known, 

 at least to microscopists, and this is perhaps the most 

 common. 1 It is not more than a quarter of an inch 

 in length, and is generally to be found hunting for 

 insects on the trunks of trees. It is said to be a very 

 pugnacious little marauder, capturing its prey by 

 leaping upon it unawares, at the same time spinning a 

 thread which is attached to the place whence it takes 

 its spring, in order to be provided against a fall. 

 The legs are modified for leaping, at which it is 

 expert. Indeed this is a very Nimrod amongst the 

 spiders. As we have seventeen or eighteen species 



1 Salticus scenicus. 



