The Banded Epeira 



of the Banded Epeira (Epeira fasciata, 

 Latr.). 



A Spider is not an insect, according to the 

 rules of classification; and as such the Epeira 

 seems out of place here. 1 A fig for systems ! 

 It is immaterial to the student of instinct 

 whether the animal have eight legs instead of 

 six or pulmonary sacs instead of air-tubes. 

 Besides, the Araneida belong to the group 

 of segmented animals, organized in sections 

 placed end to end, a structure to which 

 the terms 'insect' and 'entomology' both 

 refer. 



Formerly, to describe this group, people 

 said 'articulate animals,' an expression which 

 possessed the drawback of not jarring on the 

 ear and of being understood by all. This is 

 out of date. Nowadays, they use the eupho- 

 nious term 'Arthropoda.' And to think that 

 there are men who question the existence of 

 progress! Infidels! Say, 'articulate,' first; 

 then roll out, 'Arthropoda;' and you shall 

 see whether zoological science is not pro- 

 gressing I 



a The generic title of the work from which these es- 

 says are taken is Entomological Memories; or, Studies 

 Relating to the Instinct and Habits of Insects. Trans- 

 lator's Note. 



79 



