220 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



palpi. At the end of an hour the change had been effected. The spider 

 lay upon her back, beside the perfect skin, resting from the severe 

 exertion. 



Some idea of the perfect condition of the skin may be obtained from 

 plates 6, 7, which is a reproduction from photographs of the dorsal and 

 ventral surface of the exuvia. The dorsal aspect (see plate 6) shows very 

 plainly the coxal cavities (c) and the line of rupture of the cephalo- 

 thoracic dorsal piece (a), which was laid back and to one side in order 

 to give a fuller representation of other parts. The more delicate abdomi- 

 nal covering (<f) was torn a little during the process of molting and more 

 when the skin was mounted. The position of the eyes (^) is shown very 

 nicely on the dorsal covering of the cephalo-thorax. The poison fangs 

 can be seen distinctly between the palpi (/) in the view of the ventral 

 aspect (see plate 7). Their shiny black surface reflected so much light 

 that they appear nearly white. 



This tarantula was unusually large before she molted and is now of still 

 greater size. An idea of the increase in size attendant upon moiling 

 may be gained by comparing the dimensions of the dorsal piece of 

 the skin shed about the latter part of ,1896 when under the care of 

 Dr Bigelow and the one cast in July. The first measures i inch and the 

 second measures i^ inches in length. Therefore, the present dorsal 

 piece will probably be proportionately larger when fully expanded. 



