OF THE CLASS ABACHNIDA. 



461 



feelers, the uses of which appear to be very important. A 

 great number of these animals envelope their eggs in a 

 cocoon of silk, and sometimes the mother remains near her 

 young family to protect it, and even carries the little ones on 

 her back when they are too feeble to walk alone. All these 

 animals undergo several moultings before reaching the adult 



pa - 



Fig. 500. Anatomy of a Mygale.* 



age, and some experience a sort of metamorphosis ; for there 

 are of them whose limbs at first are only three pairs in num- 

 ber, but which acquire a fourth at a more advanced age. 



* [Aranea avicularia : Crab Spiders. I have seen them very large in South 

 Africa. R. K.] ct, cephalothorax open below, and giving attachment to the 

 limbs, the base of which is in place ; pa, limb of the first pair ; p, feeler ; m t 

 mandibles ; al, abdomen ; t, thoracic ganglionary mass ; a, abdominal gan- 

 glions ; po, pulmonary pouches ; s, stigmata; I, respiratory lamellae of one 

 of its cavities, laid open ; o, the ovaries ; or, orifice of the oviducts ; ma, 

 muscles of the abdomen ; an, anus ; f, spinnerets. 



