468 THE MICROSCOPE. 



issue of its rope from the spinnarets, and also to suspend 

 itself with the greatest ease by the larger central claw. 

 Some have, in addition, a remarkable comb-like claw, for 

 the purpose of separating certain fibrous bands that enter 

 into the composition of their delicate webs. 



One of the most remarkable members of this family is 

 the Argyroneta aquatica, Diving-spider, which weaves 

 itself a curious little bell-shaped dwelling at the bottom 

 of the water, whither it retires to devour its prey. As, 

 notwithstanding its aquatic habits, this animal, like the 

 rest of its order, is fitted only for aerial respiration, it 

 takes care to fill its miniature balloon with air, which it 

 carries down with it from the surface, entangled amongst 

 the hairs with which its body is thickly clothed ; a process 

 very closely resembling that by which the earliest diving- 

 bells were supplied with air. 



The Lycosidce agree in the structure of their jaws and 

 palpi, and in the number of their spinnarets, with Ara- 

 neidoe; but have eyes arranged in three rows. Unlike Ara- 

 neidce, the animals of this family never construct regular 

 webs for the capture of prey; the utmost exertion of 

 instinct in this direction consists in laying a few threads in 

 the neighbourhood of their dwelling-places. They generally 

 live under stones, in holes in the earth, or in old walls, 

 sometimes lining their habitations with a silken tapestry ; 

 others live upon trees, and weave themselves a silken nest 

 amongst the leaves or on the branches. A common 

 example is the Salticus scenicus, a small species banded 

 with black and white, met with on garden -walls. 



Parasites may be quickly killed by immersing them in 

 spirits of wine, or spirits of turpentine ; in a short time 

 take them out, and dry them : if transparent, they should 

 be at once mounted in glycerine or Goadby's solution ; 

 if opaque, mount in Canada balsam. It has been found 

 to answer better if both acari and other small insects are 

 immediately transferred from the spirits of turpentine to 

 a slide on which Canada balsam has been placed in readi- 

 ness for mounting : so that no air may get into the bodies, 

 &c., which spoils the transparency of the objects. 



