THE EPEIRILJE. 



179 



surface of the cephalothorax, while the males have the abdomen more elongated and less convex. The 

 males also are smaller than the females, and have the first and second pairs of legs more elongated, 

 and as the connubial relations of these, as of other Spiders, are by no means upon what we should 

 regard as a satisfactory footing in human society, and the female is usually quite ready to kill and 

 feed upon her suitors, the actions of the male, as he ventures upon the web on which the object of 

 his attentions dwells, are exceedingly diverting. He advances slowly, apparently feeling his way with 

 In's long fore legs, and the least movement on the part of the lady generally causes him to retire for 



GASTERACANTHA ARCUATA. 



the moment. The number of species is very considerable, and many of them show very fine colours, 

 or an elegant pattern in their arrangement. The only British species that presents a striking 

 peculiarity of form is the Tetraynatha extensa, a rather long, narrow species, resembling the 

 Paehygnathai of the preceding family in having long, divergent falces, and further distinguished by 

 its habit of extending the legs before and behind nearly in a line with the body. It is nearly half an 

 inch long, and is found in damp localities. 



In the tropical part of both hemispheres there are a considerable number of species of this 

 family which present great differences from those best known to us, especially in having the abdomen 

 of a more or less horny texture, and produced into spines or processes often of enormous size. They 

 form the genus Gasteracantha, and allied genera, which are particularly well represented in Brazil and 

 other parts of tropical America. In their habits they resemble the Garden Spiders, and, like them, 

 they spin a geometrical web. 



CHAPTER II. 

 ORDERS ACARINA, TARDIGRADA, LINGUATULINA, AND PANTOPODA. 



ACARINA The Mites and their Allies Characters Classification BDELLID.E, OR BEAKED MITES TROMBIDIHXE, OK 

 HARVEST MITES HYDRACHNIIXE, OR WATER MITES ORIBATID-E, OR BEETLE MITES GAMASID^E IXODID^E, OR 

 TICKS ACARIU.E, OR TRUE MITES TARDIGRADA LINGUATULINA PANTOPODA. 



ORDER III ACARINA. 



THE innumerable host of the Mites and their allies, presenting an almost infinite variety in their 

 organisation, constitute the order Acarina, the last order of Arachnida in which any special respi- 

 ratory organs are to be recognised. Their respiration is effected solely by tracheae. Their leading 



