reproduction of the Legs in Crabs and Spiders. 289 



gling and difficulty, it threw off. March 20th, (following 

 year) died — no attempt at reproduction. Merer moulted. 



13. 

 Mar. 16. A youns: spider (species not noted) had the right fore-leg di- 

 Aided in the middle of the second joint. — June 6th. Has 

 moulted, and reproduced two small perfect joints. 



14. 



July 26. Caught with extreme joint of left hind-leg already off. — Has 

 moulted and reproduced it. 



I could add sevei'al more instances, but fear that already I have been 

 too diffuse. A sufncient number, too, have been given to prove that 

 Spiders, and by analogy I would infer Crabs also, can not only retain a 

 mutilated extreme joint, but reproduce it. Numbers 2, 6, 7, and 12, 

 failed in the reproduction, but then they never moulted, and it will 

 hereafter be found that as soon as the period of moulting ceases, repro- 

 duction ceases also, even from the suture. 



Numbers 3, 4, and 8 died too early to prove more than the power of 

 retaining the mutilated parts. Numbers 7 and 12 are instances of de- 

 tention inducing the casting of the hmb, and amputation failing to do 

 so, in the same individuals. Number 7 would in)ply the power of choice 

 on the part of the animal, for almost at the same time, and under similar 

 circumstances, one limb \\ as thrown oif, another retained. Numbers 5, 

 10, 11, and 13, are unequivocal examples of the reproduction of extreme 

 joints, and number 14, of the loss of one while at large, and in a natu- 

 ral state, and its subsequent reproduction. 



It did not occur to me until a few days back, to try the effect of crush- 

 ing, instead of dividing, a joint. Three individuals upon which I expe- 

 rimented immediately cast their Umbs at the sutures, four still retain 

 them ; but I intend to pursue the enquiry, and also to endeavour to ascer- 

 tain whether adults do not cast at the suture more reluctantly and less 

 frequently than the young. Should a crushed joint be retained, it must 

 either be repaired by the simple process of adhesion, or by the more com- 

 plicated and tedious one of partial ulceration, sloughing, and granulation. 



