128 PECK HAM. [Vol. 1, 



Argiope cophinaria and arygraspis, could make the circuit of 

 a bush, or travel over a plane surface. 



" As to the males of Orbweavers, generally, it is certainly 

 not in accordance with my observations that they are more ac- 

 tive than the females. On the contrary, I am disposed to think 

 them rather lethargic and sluggish fellows. I am aware that 

 it has been said, in corroboration of the theory that the female 

 is more inactive than the male, that she will hang to the hub 

 of her orb, or remain motionless within her tent, for hours and 

 perhaps even days. It is true ; but that action is quite as char- 

 acteristic of the male as of the female. I have seen the males 

 of Cophinaria, in attendance upon a female, hanging upon the 

 outer courts of their lady love's snare, apparently entirely inac- 

 tive, for as much as two or three or four days in succession. 

 They are very patient in their waiting, and make few move- 

 ments during the courting period. 



" So also it may be said that those Orbweaver males, which 

 spin webs that are as perfect after their kind as those of the fe- 

 male, show precisely the same degree of patience in managing 

 their snares and watching for the advent of insects as is shown 

 by the female. 



"If we turn now to the wandering groups, and make 

 comparison between the males and females of the species of 

 these tribes, I am certain that it will be found that the females 

 are as active as, or even more active than, the males. During 

 certain seasons of the year, as, for example, when they are 

 carrying their cocoons, they do indeed prepare for themselves a 

 little cave or silken cell wherein they live until their young are 

 hatched. But during that period, even, the Lycosids may be 

 found running around upon the rocks and over the fields, drag- 

 ging their egg-bag after them. When the young are hatched, 

 it is not uncommon to obsei've the mother wandering over the 

 fields with all her offspring piled upon her abdomen and the 

 lower part of the cephalothorax — a strange, and, to most be- 

 holders, a horrible sight, since the ordinary observer is not apt 

 to associate the uncouth vision with the beautiful maternal 

 devotion which the spider thus shows, and which has its 



