486 The Habits of a Tarantula. [August, 
close watch of the occupant. I did not pay much attention to 
the open-mouthed tubes for some time, as I supposed the occu- 
pants to be a distinct species from the one which covered 
the tube. 
In July of last summer the Rev. Dr. McCook, of Philadelphia, 
the distinguished myrmecologist, upon invitation, visited my 
colony of slave-making ants (Formica sanguinea), and while on 
this visit I called his attention to the burrowing spider with the 
open tubes. After his return home he wrote me that he thought 
the spider a new species which he had provisionally named Taren- _ 
žula tigrina} or the tiger spider. But the spider with the covered — 
tube was of so much more account that I still paid no attention 
to this one which lived in the open burrow! But I am nowcon- — 
vinced, after a year’s observation, that what I supposed to be two 
distinct species are but one. The young scarcely ever conceal 
their tubes. ee 
A brief account of one individual spider will, perhaps, give a 
clearer idea of this species than any attempt at a learned dis- 
quisition. A large female has her home in a bed of moss | 
beneath an oak tree, only a few feet from the house. Her : 
body is nearly black and quite hairy, the legs are gray and black, | 
striped after the fashion of a tiger. When I first observed her 
the tube was only partially covered, the cover projecting above it = 
like a hood or top of a baby carriage. When not disturbed, she 
usually stood at the door of her home waiting for any chance 
. insect which she might spring upon. 
FARNI ; 
: 
My visits to her were very frequent, and for several days upon a 
my approach she would suddenly disappear within her den, but , 
finally she seemed to become accustomed to these visits and 
would allow me to sit near her, keeping her position at the door. : 
I supplied her with water, of which she would take long draughts. 
I also placed sugar near her door to attract the flies. She would 
stand perfectly motionless, watching the eager insects, until she 
fixed her eyes upon one that suited her taste when she sprang 
upon it like a flash, and disappeared within her den to make her 
meal. This kind of life continued for several weeks—simply 
watching for prey and eating. But in August another phase in 
her life was made manifest. A male was attracted to her cozy 
quarters. He does not look at all like the female, is of an entirely : 
Wha Procedi of en American Entomological Pi 137%. A 
