MIMICRY OF SPIDERS. 49 
a snare at all they would rest underneath the same with their backs down- 
ward toward the leaf, after the fashion of many other spiders. However, 
Mr. Forbes is so precise in his statement that one feels it necessary to 
accept it. As thus arranged, he speaks of the whole combination of spider 
and web as being “so artfully contrived” as to deceive a pair of human 
eyes intently examining it. 
This similarity of habit in spiders of the same family, at such widely 
separated points as Java and the United States, is in itself interesting. It 
is also interesting to notice that two thoroughly trained observers 
A Case should have independently named the same rather outre object 
ofAn- ag the one suggested by the spider’s mimicry. Nevertheless, one 
ere is inclined to think that the suggestion of mimicry is a bit 
phism, Of anthropomorphism. Because suggested to the mind of the 
observer, it does not follow that any such deception had been 
devised by the spider. All the individuals of this family and tribe are in 
the habit of seeking their prey chiefly upon trees and plants of various 
sorts, stones, et cetera. They may often be found upon the white or whit- 
ish gray spots, or upon dried bits of lichen or moss found on plants. In 
such positions they certainly strongly suggest the idea of intentional mim- 
icry. However, in point of fact, the combination might have been acci- 
dental so far as the spider is concerned. In the cases observed by Messrs. 
Forbes and Webster there appears no reason to infer that so subtle a 
process as that attributed to the spider could have found lodgment in its 
mind. 
At least, if we accept Mr. Forbes’ theory of an artful contrivance, we 
must conclude that this lowly organized animal could intelligently survey 
the field, put this and that together, select certain spots for settlement 
after determining its own color resemblance to such spots; then deliber- 
ately proceed to spin a web which, in its general contour, would resemble 
the particular form which semifluid masses are wont to assume in various 
positions, according to the inclination of the plane upon which they fall; 
and then, further, arrange its own body in such relation to the web as to 
: present the appearance of mottled black and gray characteristic 
Mimicry of bird droppings under like circumstances. The ability for such 
aie mental processes would undoubtedly establish an order of intellect 
and powers of observation and reasoning beyond those which we 
are at present warranted in attributing to a spider. All the facts can be 
accounted for, and are most naturally accounted for, without introducing a 
factor so strongly imaginary. I am disposed to think that the web as 
described was spun in an ordinary position, in the form habitual to the 
species, and in such locality as it usually frequents; moreover, that this 
was done without any intention to perpetrate a mimicry such as the 
observer fancied, and which in fact existed simply as an analogy in his 
mind, 
