( 4 ) 
nifhed} they are clofely joined, and near the thorax are fomewhat thicker, but more (lender 
towards the extremity, which is furnifhed with black or blackifli claws, which Lister has 
named tela^ or weapons. By thefe weapons, or holders, their prey is not only killed and 
held fall, but is alfo brought or prefented to the mouth, which is fituated immediately under 
them. See plate lo. hg. 4. A. 
24. The mouth confifts of two jaws, moving below and between the holders. Each jaw 
is armed with little hooks or teeth, placed femicircularly, with which the animal tears and eats 
its prey. See letter C. Frifch has obferved this; of whofe defcription and figure in Vol. vii. 
page 7, table 4, of his works, the reader may judge for himfelf. 
25. The throat (gula) which is fituated below the mouth, and is fliewn at letter D. 
receives the juice which is fqueezed by the jaws from the prey. 
26. The thorax (peBus) is the trunk to which the feveral parts forementioned are joined. 
This in moil: fpecies is rather more flender forwards ; it is obtufe however, and fiat under- 
neath. I'he upper part is more or lefs fharp, like the roof of a houfe, in fome fpecies, while 
in others it is flat. In fome it is very hairy, but in others there are only fcattered hairs upon 
it. Thefe have a gafh or jund;ure on the thorax, refernbling the letter V. Of the internal 
ffrufture of the thorax I can determine nothing at prefent; but from conjeffure, I imagine 
the received aliment to be conveyed here, and digefted for the fupport of the other parts. 
27. The abdomen (ahus) if we except the length of the legs, conftitutes the greater part 
of a Spider, efpecially in the female, whofe fpecies are elegantly diftinguifhed by the change- 
able colours and marks with which this part is ornamented. It is very nicely connedfed 
wdth the thorax by a very flender bond ; one end of which is joined with the centre of the 
thorax, towards the hinder part ; the other with almoft a third of the lower part of the abdo- 
men, efpecially in the retiary Spiders, or thofe which make webs. The fexual organ of the 
female is fituated on the under fide of the abdomen, towards the fore part of it, and is very 
confpicuous in the time of copulation ; its particular defcription will be given in the hiftory 
of thofe fpecies of Spiders, which I have obferved at that period. 
28. The eggs, which are never depofited naked, but always wrapped up in a larger or 
fmaller web, are not alike in all the different fpecies, but are angular in fome, in others round, 
and fo glued together, as not to be feparated without deflroying them ; as will be fhewn in 
its proper place. I fliall here only divide them into three claffes, viz. into large, fmall, and 
middle-Jized. They are not covered with a fhell, like the eggs of birds, but merely with a foft 
fkin, which is fo tranfparent, that the colour of the foetus may be diflinguifhed through it, 
and 
