54 



AMERICAN SPIDERS AND THEIR SPINNINGWORK. 



(Fig. 29), that is, the body was thrown into a position at about an angle of 

 forty-five degrees, the abdomen almost in the line with the cephalothorax, 

 but a little bent under at the apex, which nearly or 

 quite touched the ground. The two hind pairs of 

 legs were thrown outward from the body, the fourth 

 or hindermost pair being well curved, the third or 

 next pair somewhat bent, but more extend- 

 , ' ed. The second pair (next to the foremost) 

 confirmed was quite extended in a line without much 

 curvature, except towards the last two joints. 

 The front legs were extended in a line somewhat 



FIG. 31. Love dance of Astia 



vittata. Male with front curved, and well thrown upward above the head, and 

 legs in poise. (After Peck- ^ p a ip s w hich are black, were stretched out in a 



ham.) r . 



corresponding position, and continually rubbed one 



upon the other in an excited manner. In this attitude the male moved 

 backward and forward with a lively sal- 

 tigrade movement, whirling around a little 

 as he leaped upward (Fig. 30) and brush- 

 ing the tips of his palps together in the 

 meanwhile. This was about all I was 

 permitted to see, but it at least confirms 

 in part what the Peckhams have so care- 

 fully recorded. 



The first male form, which corresponds 

 in appearance to the female, when he ap- 

 proaches his mate, raises his first 



, legs so that they point either ^~> 

 Dance of 6 J , ^ . . 



Astia forward or upward, keeping his 



approaching the female. Much enlarged. 

 (After Peckham.) 



palps stiffly outstretched, while 

 the tip of his abdomen is bent to the 



ground. This position he Commonly takes FIG. 32. Position of male Astia vittata when 



when three or four inches away. While 

 he retains this attitude he keeps curving 

 and waving his legs in a very curious manner. Frequently he raises only 



one of the legs of the first pair, running all the 

 time from side to side. As he draws nearer to 

 the female, he lowers his body to the ground and, 

 dropping his legs also, places the two anterior 

 pairs so that the tips touch in front (Fig. 32), 



FIG. 33. Male of icius mitratus the Primal joints being turned almost at an 

 dancing before female. (After angle to the body. Now he glides in a semicir- 

 cle before the female, sometimes advancing, some- 

 times receding, until at last she accepts his addresses. 



The Niger form is much the more lively of the two, and whenever the 



