GENERAL CLASSIFICATION AND STRUCTURE. 29 
IV. 
Perhaps a few of my readers may become sufticiently interested in the 
subjects considered in this volume to wish to make personal observations 
on the habits of spiders, and collections of species. A few hints for the 
benefit, of such persons may be given. For collectors a small satchel or 
hand-bag with a strap by which it can be slung across the shoulder is a 
most convenient arrangement. This should be furnished with a »mumber ~ 
of small paper or wooden boxes, such as ar r putting up pills and 
like drugs. Wide mouthed vials and b also be used. 
In capturing a spider, the lid sl oved from the box and 
the two parts placed one upon o 10ther upon the other side 
of the orb, or a Fas circumstances may require. 
He When they a ually approached they may be suddenly 
ee closed, and the spider will be captured inside the box. Care 
should be taken to get the spider well inside before the coyer is 
closed, as there is danger of crushing the specimens. Any note or record 
may briefly be made upon the top or bottom of the box, or it may be 
numbered and the memoran- 
dum kept in the note book. 
The imprisoned spider will 
keep without injury until the 
collector has reached his 
home, when he can make a 
further personal examination 
by opening the box carefully 
and dropping the spider into Fic. 18. Example of a trying-box. 
a glass vessel with steep sides. Long test tubes of several sizes are very 
convenient for decanting collections from the boxes and, after examination, 
into alcohol. 
If one wishes to observe the habits under artificial conditions, a series 
of wooden boxes may be made with sliding glass covers, as represented in 
the accompanying cut. These may be ventilated by fine wire 
cloth or gauze. Such boxes may be made of sizes to suit the 
habit of the species. For cocooning purposes, eight by ten 
inches will be large enough ordinarily, and also quite large enough to 
observe the spinning habits of the smaller species. Large glass jars of 
any sort make good homes for trying the manners of many species. 
When the creature’s habit requires, earth and sticks should be inserted. 
(See Fig. 18.) 
What is still better, if circumstances will permit, the collecting boxes 
may be opened upon vines and shrubbery in the garden or grounds, It 
is not a difficult thing to establish a spidery in this way. The observer 
may open the boxes promiscuously and allow the spiders to settle their 
Trying 
Boxes. 
