SPIDEES AIJD MITES. 2J:5 



manlier, and open in all of tlie spinnerets. 2. Six long 

 twisted tubes, ■wMcli gradually enlarge into as many 

 pouches, and tlien are each protracted into a veiy long 

 duct, -which forms a double loop. 3. Thi-ee pairs of 

 glandular tubes, similai* to the preceding, but "^vhich 

 open extemaHv through short ducts, i. Two groups 

 of much branched sacs, whose long ducts run to the 

 upper pair of spinnerets. 5. Two sUghtlv branched 

 blind-tubes, which terminate by two short ducts in the 

 middle paii* of spinnerets. 



It is not very easy to examine the spinnerets with a 

 microscope, so as to make out their structure. If we 

 confine the Spider iu a glass cell, it is so restless that 

 the least shock or change of position will cause it to 

 more to and fro ; and, besides, when it does become 

 quiescent, the spinnerets ai-e closed in towards each 

 other, so that we cannot see their extremities. By se- 

 lecting a specimen, however, recently killed, such as 

 this Chiiiona, we may discern sufficient to enable us to 

 comprehend their construction. 



Looking, then, at the abdomen from beneath, we 

 see the three paii-s of spinnerets clustered together close 

 to the extremity. The pair most forward are shaped 

 somewhat like barrels, whose free ends bend over to- 

 wards each other. They are covered with stiff black 

 hairs, and just within the margiu of what may be 

 called the head of the barrel (for it is cut off horizon- 

 tally, with a sharp rim), there is a circle of very close- 

 set, stiff, whitish bristles, which arch inwards. The 

 whole flat surface of the " head," within this circle of 

 bristles, is beset with very minute homy tubes, stand- 

 ing erect, which are the outlets of the sUk-ducts, that 

 belong to this pair. 



