PULMONAEI^. 333 



part of the body is almost square or semi-ovoid, plane or but slightly con- 

 vex above, as wide anteriorly as in the rest of its extent, and descending 

 suddenly on the sides. The legs are fitted for running and leaping. The 

 thighs of tlie two fore legs are remarkable for their size. 



The Araignee a chevrons blancs of Geoffroy, a species of Salticus very com- 

 mon in summer on walls or windows exposed to the sun, moves by jerks, 

 stops short after a few steps and raises itself on its fore legs. If it discover 

 a fly, or particularly amusquito, it approaches softly, and then darts upon 

 the victim with a single bound. It leaps fearlessly and perpendicularly on 

 a wall, being always attached to it by a thread, which lengthens as it ad- 

 vances. This same filament also supports it in the air, enables it to ascend 

 to its point of departure, and allows it to be wafted by the wind from one 

 place to another. Such, generally, are the habits of the species that be- 

 long to this division. 



Several construct nests of silk resembling oval sacs open at both ends, be- 

 tween leaves, under stones, &c. Thither they retire to change their tegu- 

 ment and to seek shelter in bad weather. If danger menaces them there, 

 they leave it at once and escape with speed. 



The females construct a sort of tent, which becomes the cradle of their 

 posterity, and in which the young ones, for a time, Uve in common with the 

 mother. There are several subgenera. 



FAMILY II. 



PEDIPALPL 



In the second family of the Pulmonariae, we find very large palpi, 

 resembling projecting arms, terminated by a forceps or a claw; di- 

 dactyle chelicerae, one finger of which is movable, and an abdomen 

 composed of very distinct segments, without fusi at the extremity. 

 The whole body is invested with a firm tegument; the thorax con- 

 sists of a single piece, and exhibits three or two simple eyes, ap- 

 proximated or grouped, near the anterior angles; and near the mid- 

 dle of its anterior extremity, or posteriorly, but in the median line, 

 two others equally simple and approximated. There are four or 

 eight pulmonary sacs. Those which form the genus 



Tarantula, Fab., 



Have their abdomen attached to their thorax by a pedicle, or portion of 

 their transverse diameter; it has no pectinated laminae at its base, nor sting 

 at its extremity. Their stigmata, four in number, are situated near the ori- 

 gin of the venter, and are covered with a plate. Their chelicerse (mandi- 

 bles) are simply terminated by a movable hook. Tlieir ligula is elongated. 



