(.KN'KUAI. i I. A IFICATIO.V AND STRrrTCRK. 



29 



IV. 



Perhaps a few of my readers may become sufficiently interested in the 

 subjects considered in this volume to wish to make personal observations 

 on the habits of spiders, and collections of species. A few hints for the 

 benefit of such persons may be given. For collectors a small satchel or 

 hand-bag with a strap by which it can be slung across the shoulder is a 

 most convenient arrangement. This should be furnished with a number 

 of small paper or wooden boxes, such as are used for putting up pills and 

 like drugs. Wide mouthed vials and bottles may also be used. 



In capturing a spider, the lid should be removed from the box and 

 the two parts placed one upon one side and another upon the other side 

 of the orb, or above and below, as circumstances may require. 

 Captur \vi ien they are gradually approached they may be suddenly 

 mens closed, and the spider will be captured inside the box. Care 

 should be taken to get the spider well inside before the cover is 

 closed, as there is danger of crushing the specimens. Any note or record 

 may briefly be made upon the top or bottom of the box, or it may be 

 numbered and the memoran- 

 dum kept in the note book. 

 The imprisoned spider will 

 keep without injury until the 

 collector has reached his 

 home, when he can make a 

 further personal examination 

 by opening the box carefully 

 and dropping the spider into FlG - 18 - E^mp 1 * of a trying-box. 



a glass vessel with steep sides. Long test tubes of several sizes are very 

 convenient for decanting collections from the boxes and, after examination, 

 into alcohol. 



If one wishes to observe the habits under artificial conditions, a series 



of wooden boxes may be made with sliding glass covers, as represented in 



the accompanying cut. These may be ventilated by fine wire 



ryinj c i o th or gauze. Such boxes may be made of sizes to suit the 



habit of the species. For cocooning purposes, eight by ten 



inches will be large enough ordinarily, and also quite large enough to 



observe the spinning habits of the smaller species. Large glass jars of 



any sort make good homes for trying the manners of many sp< 



When the creature's habit requires, earth and sticks should be inserted. 



(See Fig. 18.) 



What is still better, if circumstances will permit, the collecting boxes 

 may be opened upon vines and shrubbery in the garden or grounds. It 

 is not a difficult thing to establish a spidery in this way. The observer 

 may open the boxes promiscuously and allow the spiders to settle their 



