1888.] Mr C. Warburton, Notes on a Collection of Spiders. 299 
(3) Notes on a Collection of Spiders, with a list of species 
taken in the neighbourhood of Cambridge. By C. WARBURTON, 
Christ’s College. 
ALL attempts to preserve spiders in the dry state have hitherto 
proved ineffectual. 
When put up in alcohol, the specimens must either be mounted 
in some way, and certain specific characteristics concealed, or al- 
lowed to lie loosely in tubes, and to present a distorted and un- 
sightly appearance. 
For the purposes of exhibition, the former alternative seems 
preferable, especially if care be taken to minimise as far as possible 
its disadvantages. 
A simple but effective method of mounting specimens is here 
described, as likely to prove useful to collectors in this and 
other groups, where no satisfactory dry method of preservation is 
available. 
A specimen tube is filled about one-third full of plaster of — 
Paris powder. Water is added, and the tube corked and shaken, 
and then laid lengthwise upon a horizontal surface. When the 
plaster is set, the block is slipped out, smoothed if necessary, and 
the specimen mounted upon its flat surface with strong gum or 
“liquid glue ”—a substance not dissolved by alcohol. 
When replaced, the block of course fits its mould, and cannot 
crush the specimen, as the width of its flat surface is nearly the 
diameter of the tube. It moreover affords a white back-ground 
which is not liable to much discolouration. It is often convenient 
to mount male and female of a species in the same tube. 
The tubes are then labelled and exposed on tiers of shelves, 
inclined at a small angle to the perpendicular. 
Thus arranged, the specimens bear some resemblance to the 
living species they typify, and present as sightly an appearance 
as the difficulties of the case will admit. 
List of Spiders taken in the neighbourhood of Cambridge. 
DYSDERIDES. 
DyspERA 
Cambridgii, Thor.,—occasional, on Castle Hill, Gogmagog hills, ete. 
HARpPACTES 
Hombergii, Scop., not rare, at the bottom of Clare wall, and in the court 
of Christ’s College. 
Oonors 
pulcher, Temp., rare, on Gogmagog hills. 
DRASSIDES. 
Micaria 
pulicaria, Sund, frequent, on Castle Hill, Gogmagzog hills, etc. 
PRosTHESIMA 
Petiverii, Scop., rare, Fleam Dyke. 
nigrita, Fabr., rare, Fleam Dyke. 
