7 1 50 Arachnida, 



small individuals should combine together in the adult state to fahri- 

 cate large webs. The great cobwebs formed in our cellars and out- 

 houses are always constructed by large spiders (such as Tegenaria 

 civilis or Ciniflo similis), which, though living in close proximity to 

 many neighbours, have each their own web and separate retreat, in 

 which they watch for their prey. This tribe of animals, however, 

 seems endowed with peculiar sagacity, which enables them to adapt 

 themselves to new circumstances, and to acquire new habits. In 

 support of this remark I will adduce another illustration, which 1 will 

 give in the graphic words of my friend Mr. Edwin Birchall, by whom 

 the fact was particularly pointed out to me, though I had noticed it 

 before receiving the letter in which he says : — " Did you ever observe 

 how spiders frequent lamp-posts ? The habits of the tribe, lovers of 

 darkness (no doubt because their deeds are evil), would not lead me 

 to expect them in such a locality ; so I conclude they go, not because 

 they are attracted by the light, but because moths are. If this is so, 

 is it not a curious development of instinct ? I have constantly found 

 not only webs stretched across the glass, but large fellows lying per- 

 dus in the corners of the lamp waiting for prey. I cannot compre- 

 hend how a spider travelling along a road can arrive at the conclusion 

 that he will find a sinner at the top of a lamp-post, or the develop- 

 ment of such a marvellous instinct since the era of lamps. If it be 

 not reason, it is surely very much like it." The spider that I have 

 noticed in this situation has been Epeira similis. 



I have one more circumstance to mention in reference to the eco- 

 nomy of spiders, and then I will bring this gossip to an end for the 

 present. On the 16th of March last 1 received from Mr. E. Parfitt, of 

 Taunton, a large nest of Agelena labyrrnthica, which he had found 

 attached to the bare twigs of a hedge. It consisted of a sac of com- 

 pact white silk, containing two or three cocoons, as is usually the 

 case in the nest of this spider. Mr. Parfitt had never noticed it 

 before, and sent it to me thinking it might be rare or curious. This 

 species is very common in many localities, but the point of interest 

 attached to the nest was, that on its arrival at my house it contained 

 a number of small spiders already hatched. I placed it in a box with 

 a glass top, where these little creatures continued to live and spin 

 their webs, for a period of seven or eight weeks, without obtaining 

 any kind of food. During this time they did not appear to grow, or 

 undergo any alteration in shape. I thought it rather an extraordinary- 

 circumstance that the eggs of this spider should be hatched so early, 

 and particularly in such an inclement season as the last, and won- 



