CHAPTER XXVI. 

 GENERAL DETAILS. 



THERE is none the less among insects (in the wider sense), 

 or among articulate animals, one class of creatures 

 which in spite of their proverbial tendency to insulation, 

 must, on account of their intellectual powers as well as of 

 their ingenuity, be set by the side of the insects hitherto 

 spoken of, while the same can be said of no other class or 

 family, with the exception perhaps of some species of beetles. 

 This class consists of the hated, feared and despised spiders, 

 which only seem to exist in order that anyone who sees 

 them may as quickly as possible destroy, drive away, or kill 

 them. Those, however, who study their ways and doings 

 will, in spite of their hideous exterior, feel themselves on 

 nearer knowledge to be attracted rather than repelled. 



" For all students," says Blanchard (loc.cit.,p. 669), " the 

 spiders are the most interesting creatures of the animated 

 world. In the most perfect representatives of this class we 

 find narrowed into the smallest compass a richness of 

 organisation which equals the greatest marvels of anatomy. 

 The most remarkable instincts and often intelligence, are 

 found therein, manifesting themselves in actions of the 

 highest reason." 



" The disposition and conduct of spiders," says Giebel 

 (loc. cit., p. 370) " claim the greatest interest, and in no way 

 justify the common contempt and avoidance. Their move- 

 ments are rapid, powerful and dexterous, their sensibility 

 very great, their endurance, their courage on attack, their 

 skill in the web, their tenacity of life, are wonderful. All 

 their life-phamomena enthrall the attentive observer." 



" Among all hunting animals," says Fee (loc. cit., p. 104), 

 " there is not one which can compare with spiders and with 

 their skill in setting nets to catch their prey. Nor has any 

 their patience and endurance." 



" Looking at the animal scale from below upwards," says 



