THE PIRATE SPIDEE. 



Indeed, so difficult is it at the present day to pro- 

 cure the Water Spider, that I have been unable to give 

 an illustration of the creature and its cocoon. In 

 spite of much search and orders to dealers, not a 

 specimen could be obtained ; and, as I did not choose 

 to have an illustration which was not drawn from the 

 actual object, I was forced to omit it altogether. 



THE PIRATE SPIDEE (Lycosa piratico). 



There is a very large genus of spiders called 

 Lycosa. This name is derived from a Greek word, 

 signifying a wolf, and is given to these creatures on 

 account of their roving and predatory habits. Popu- 

 larly, they are called Wolf Spiders, and we have nearly 

 twenty species in England. They are very plentiful, 

 and may be found on almost any piece of ground, 

 especially if it be uncultivated. Being mostly dark- 

 coloured, they escape observation, unless the ground 

 be carefully watched, and then they may be detected 

 as they run with great speed, and pounce upon any 

 stray insect that comes in their way. They spin no 

 web for the capture of insects, though some species 

 line their hiding-places with a silken mantle, and all 

 are in the habit of enveloping their eggs in a silken 

 bag, and carrying it about with them. The celebrated 

 Tarantula is one of the Wolf Spiders. 



Among these also we have an aquatic representa- 

 tive which is popularly called the Pirate Spider, because 

 it exercises its depredations on water, and not on land. 

 Like the Water Spider, it has a furry covering, which 



