68 PECKHAM. [Vol. 1. 



this respect. A large Lycosa, which we kept under observation 

 for some time, instantly seized and devoured any smaller spider 

 that was put into the box with it. The Thomisidee are very 

 fierce and voracious, attacking and eating Attidee larger than 

 themselves when caught with them in a sweep-net — a time at 

 which all other captured creatures think only of how to escape. 



Walckenaer refers again and again to the warfare going on 

 among spiders. In his introduction, after giving some account 

 of the conflicts between males and females of the same species, 

 he goes on to say : 



" If individuals of the same species behave toward each 

 other with such ferocity, one may well believe that different 

 species and different genera are in a state of continual war." * 



Spiders of one genus, Mimetus, have developed a habit of 

 taking possession of the webs of other spiders, first devouring 

 the owners and sometimes their eggs as well.f 



We have other instances of spider eggs being eaten by 

 spiders. For example, Vinson gives a graphic description of 

 the great Epeiridse of Madagascar, in the corners of whose 

 mighty webs live many small Argyrodes, which thus secure 

 immunity from the attacks of birds. These little spiders, 

 unmolested by their big relatives, sometimes make a poor return 

 for the hospitality shown them by devouring the eggs of their 

 hosts. X 



Many spiders are destroyed by parasites whose eggs may 

 be deposited upon, or within the body of the spider, or may be 

 laid within the cocoon, the parasitic larvae devouring the eggs. 

 It is a very common thing to find spider cocoons inhabited by 



* Hist, des Insectes Apteres, I, p. US. See also pp. 172,, 408., 644, and vol. n, pp. 

 32, 71. 



+ In characterizing this genus Hentz says : "The parasitic habits of the spiders 

 composing this sub-genus, remind the naturalist of the depredations committed by 

 various Hymenoptera upon many species of Insects. The Mimetus can make a web 

 like that of Theridlon, but prefers prowling In the dark, and taking possession of the 

 industrious Epelras' threads and home, or the patient Thendlon's web, after murder- 

 ing the unsuspecting proprietor." Loc. cit, p. 137. 



* Aratieides des ties de La Reunion, Maurice et Madagascar, p. 269. 



