PREFACE. 
In compiling the volumo on Spiders now laid before the public, the Author's 
endeavour has been to aid future workers in this interesting subject by supple- 
menting with drawings the well-known works of Professor T. Thorell, of 
Montpellier, to whom he owes a great debt of gratitude for continuous favours 
during many years. The first twenty- four drawings, in which the Author 
was assisted by his daughter, who unfortunately had to discontinue her help 
owing to her eyesight becoming impaired, were brought out in three i>arts — 
part I in 1893, and parts 3 and 4 in 1894 — under the title of Malaysian 
Spiders, 
Nearly all the sj)ecimens were collected by the Author in Singapore 
and Java, and are in his possession except where otherwise noted. 
The male is denoted by (J , and the female by ? , the distinctive marks 
usually adopted in works of this nature. The drawings of the palpi and 
epigynae were made when the parts were dry except when stated otherwise, 
but the colours have been taken from specimens as they appear after immersion 
in spirits of wine, and not from living spiders. 
The Author hopes the notes on the habits and webs of the various 
species will be of interest, so little being known of the life history of tropical 
spiders, 
" The heart is hard in Natuie, 
-that is not pleased 
With sight of animals enjoy in(j life, 
Nor feet their happiness augment his own." 
— COWI'ER. 
Craig DAR RAG 
Co. Down, 
j/j/ August^ i8g6. 
