No. 3.] SEXUAL SELECTION IN SPIDERS. 123 



as " uncertain, coy, and bard to please" as the males are eager. 

 Both Dr. McCook and Mr. Emerton have remarked that the 

 female, in mating, seemed to do nothing but run awa}', and 

 this often does seem to be her only idea at the beginning of 

 the courtship. After a little, however, her attention is caught, 

 and she lingers for a moment before turning away, and, as the 

 affair progresses, she becomes excited and watches the male with 

 absorbing interest, only turning to flee when he comes close to lier. 

 It may be well to say in this connection that any one who 

 wishes to make a study of the mating habits of spiders should 

 have a considerable knowledge of their haunts, their habits 

 and of the time at which each species matures. The spiders 

 should be taken just at the point of reaching maturity, as after 

 that period their interest in the matter is only lukewarm, and 

 although they may make some display it is but a feeble sug- 

 gestion of their eager and excited action at an earlier time. 

 Moreover, the observer must be prepared to draw largely upon 

 his stock of patience, as some of the best dancers do not show 

 what they can do just at first. For example, Habrocestum 

 splendens will sometimes remain sulky and sullen for hours in 

 the box with females, but when he is well wa,rmed up to an 

 interest in them (this is not altogether figurative, as it is often 

 necessary to put the box in the hot sunshine) he becomes per- 

 fectly wild with excitement. 



In a former paper we set forth some facts and arguments 

 in favor of Darwin's theory of sexual selection, considering at 

 the same time Mr. Wallace's counter-theory by which he 

 attempts to explain the superior beauty of the male in many 

 species of birds and insects. Since then, in his extremely 

 interesting and sugge.stive work on Darwinism, Mr. Wallace has 

 summed up his former views on this subject, supplementing 

 them with additional arguments. Having here brought forward 

 some new facts in regard to the courtship of spiders, we take 

 this opportunity of re-considering the theory that Mr. Wallace 

 would substitute for the one offered by Darwin. 



THE THREE PARTS OF MR. WALLACE'S THEORY. 



It is of primary importance to see what evidence Mr. Wal- 

 lace brings forward in support of the proposition whicli forms 



