CHAPTER VI. 
SPIDERS AND SCORPIONS. 
Emotions . 
The emotional life of spiders, so far as we can observe it 
as expressed in their actions, seems to be divided between 
sexual passion (including maternal affection) and the 
sterner feelings incidental to their fiercely predatory 
habits* But the emotions, although apparently few and 
simple in character, are exceedingly strong in force. In 
many species the male spider in conducting his courtship 
has to incur an amount of personal danger at the hands 
(and jaws) of his terrific spouse, which might well daunt 
the courage of a Leander. Ridiculously small and weak 
in build, the males of these species can only conduct the 
rites of marriage with their enormous and voracious brides 
by a process of active manoeuvring, which if unsuccessful 
is certain to cost them their lives. Yet their sexual 
emotions are so strong that, as proved by the continuance 
of the species, no amount of personal risk is sufficient to 
deter them from giving these emotions full play. There 
is no other case in the animal kingdom where courtship 
is attended with any approach to the gravity of danger 
that is here observable. Among many animals the males 
have to meet a certain amount of inconvenience from the 
coquetry or disinclination of the females ; but here the 
coquetry and disinclination has passed into the hungry 
determination of a ferocious giant ess. The case, therefore, 
because unique, is of interest from an evolutionary point 
of view. We can see a direct advantage to species from 
the danger incurred by males on account of mutual 
jealousy ; for this, giving rise to what Mr. Darwin has 
