The Banded Epeira 



of the Banded Epeira {Epeira fasciata, 

 Latr.). 



A Spider is not an insect, according to the 

 rules of classification; and as such the Epeira 

 seems out of place here.^ A fig for systems ! 

 It is immaterial to the student of instinct 

 whether the animal have eight legs instead of 

 six or pulmonary sacs instead of air-tubes. 

 Besides, the Araneida belong to the group 

 of segmented animals, organized in sections 

 placed end to end, a structure to which 

 the terms 'insect' and 'entomology' both 

 refer. 



Formerly, to describe this group, people 

 said 'articulate animals,' an expression which 

 po^essed the drawback of not jarring on the 

 ear and of being understood by all. This is 

 out of date. Nowada}-s, diey use the eupho- 

 nious term 'Arthropoda.' And to think that 

 there are men who question the existence of 

 progress! Infidels! Say, 'articulate,' first; 

 then roll out, 'Arthropoda;' and you shall 

 see whether zoolo^cal science is not pro- 

 gressing ! 



^Hie gaieric title of the work from which these es- 

 says are taken is Entomological Memories; or, StudUs 

 Ritbttimg to thg Imstimct and Habits of Insects. — Tnms- 

 lator's Not«. 



79 



