172 
Psyche 
[June-September 
Methods 
Spider systematists, in general, employ many of the same tech¬ 
niques and methods in their study of materials. Basically a number 
of measurements of bodily components are made and characters of 
taxonomic importance are illustrated. These measurements and 
drawings characterize the species under investigation and aid in 
their identification and separation from closely related forms. Some 
idea of the phylogenetic relationships of species can be gained from 
this information as well. 
It is often taken for granted by the specialist that others outside 
his field know about the techniques and methods employed and the 
rationale behind them. Since this is not necessarily true, and since 
this is the first in an anticipated series of systematic revisions on the 
Lycosidae, I decided to explain some of the details involved in the 
study. The methods and rationale set forth here will be a basis for 
future investigations. The subheadings below include the compo¬ 
nents explored in the analysis of each species. 
Discussion. Under this subheading an attempt is made to clarify 
the nomenclatural history of the species in question as well as 
explain the rationale for certain conclusions regarding names. 
Figures and Color Descriptions. The color descriptions and illus¬ 
trations are based on fresh alcoholic specimens in most cases. Well- 
preserved specimens of Trochosa in which the hairs have not been 
rubbed off are very similar to the living spiders and were utilized 
where possible. The differences in live and freshly preserved lycosids 
is produced by shrinkage in alcohol, which disrupts the abdominal 
color pattern; wetting, which makes the specimen darker than in 
life; and rubbing off of appressed hairs which make up some of the 
color pattern. Where discrepancies in color between live and pre¬ 
served specimens have been observed, they are noted. 
Color descriptions and illustrations were made under low power 
(16X) of a dissecting microscope, with the spider illuminated by a 
microscope lamp. Where variation is great, the range of color pat¬ 
terns representative of the greatest number of specimens is des¬ 
cribed. A given specimen may not fit the general description in all 
details. 
For each species a dorsal view of the female was drawn, with an 
additional drawing of T. terricola to indicate the range of variation. 
The dorsal color pattern is one of the distinctive features of the 
