AUGUST 183 



other department of the animal kingdom l . . . may be 

 verified by any patient observer in the case of the large garden 

 spider (Epeira diademata). . . . During the mating season 

 the males may be looked for on the borders of the nets of 

 the females. Their action is hesitating and irresolute, as it 

 well may be, and for hours they will linger on the confines of 

 the web, feeling it cautiously with their legs, and apparently 

 trying to ascertain the nature of the welcome likely to be 

 extended to them.' 



If the lady is inclined for dalliance, the suitor is 

 admitted ; but it behoves him to make tracks so soon 

 as his purpose has been accomplished. If he is so 

 simple as to accept an invitation to stay for supper, his 

 own carcase will assuredly be the piece de resistance at 

 that meal : his mistress will promptly give him a deadly 

 bite in the throat, and sit down to imbibe his juices. 

 In almost all species of spider the male is considerably, 

 often absurdly, smaller and weaker than the female. 

 In the tropical species Nephila the female is about two 

 inches long and thirteen hundred times heavier than 

 her temporary spouse, who scarcely exceeds one-tenth 

 of an inch in length. 



' This disparity of size,' says Mr. Shipley, ' is thought to have 

 a direct connection with the danger undergone at the mating 

 season. Small, active males have a better chance of escape 

 from ferocious females, so that natural selection has acted in 

 the direction of reducing their size so far as is compatible 

 with the performance of their functions.' 



1 Mr. Shipley is referring to the whole phylum of Arachnids, not to 

 spiders only. The females of the praying mantis and of several 

 species of beetles exhibit similar revolting ferocity towards their 

 mates, 



