

Arachnida. 3677 



will now endeavour to state how this may be effectually got over, and 

 the shape and colour of most spiders preserved in equal perfection 

 with those of many insects. 



The method recommended is, to inclose the specimens in small 

 glass bottle tubes, made of thin glass tubing, each about an inch and 

 a half long, with a flat bottom, which prevents them from breaking 

 easily when standing on end, and with a small lip all round the up- 

 per edge, which enables them to be closely corked. These tubes 

 should be of various diameters, from one-eighth to half an inch, and 

 should not be much wider than the bodies of the spiders inclosed in# 

 them ; this causes the specimen to be retained in one position, and 

 enables it to be more easily examined with a lens, without removal 

 from the tube. 



After the spider, which has been previously killed by immersion in 

 spirits of wine, is placed in the tube, the latter must be filled with 

 rectified spirits, and closely corked with a small soft cork. The 

 smaller specimens preserve their form best in a mixture of three parts 

 alcohol and one of water. The bottles may be kept in a drawer or 

 box in an upright position by means of a thin piece of board or card, 

 in which a number of holes have been pierced of the size of the tubes. 



I lately forwarded to the Museum of the Entomological Society a 

 few species preserved in the manner I have described, and I shall feel 

 highly gratified if the inspection of them should induce any naturalist 

 to take up the study of these interesting animals. I shall have great 

 pleasure in sending one or two specimens by post to any gentleman 

 who will do me honour to apply for them, and shall also be happy to 

 name any spider about which there may be a doubt. 



Although Kirby and Spence, and Blackwall, in England, and 

 Walckenaer in France, have recorded much regarding the habits and 

 economy of spiders, yet a wide field remains unexplored, which will 

 richly repay the inquiry. 



Many spiders are nocturnal in their habits, and require to be 

 watched at night by the aid of a lantern, the light of which does not 

 seem to disturb them. This is the time when they principally con- 

 struct their webs, and when many of them chiefly capture their prey. 

 The large and curious Epeira umbratica generally lies concealed dur- 

 ing the day in some crevice or under a piece of decayed bark ; but at 

 night it may be found seared in the midst of its coarse web, which is 

 frequently fixed between some posts and rails ; and here it looks out 

 for any unlucky moths which may get entangled in its toils, its food 

 chiefly consisting of the larger nocturnal Lepidoptera. 



