Next to the eyes the length of the legs gives some aid in identification. The first pair of legs are the longest in some kinds; in others, the fourth pair. The third pair are generally the shortest.
Of the small kinds, belonging mostly to the Z/eridid@ —and easily confounded with the young of others —those of less than 34 inch have been left out as too minute to recognize.
To preserve collected spiders. They are easily killed by the fumes of a sulphur match in a tumbler.
They cannot be pinned like other insects, as they shrivel in drying and lose their shape. They may be kept in alcohol but many lose their color and show marks which do not appear when alive. They keep well in an over-strong solution of table salt, in well corked bottles,
The drawings of spiders with legs are from the living specimens; those where only the body parts are represented are from different books on spiders. The drawings in these have been made mostly from pre- served spiders on which the faint patterns have often faded, and other patterns made visible which the living spider does not show. y
It is necessary to make allowance for variations in different specimens, see for example, Lycosa nigroventris, and L. ruricola; the three drawings show the same spots and markings, but in different size. In a few other kinds the difference may be still greater.
Those who wish to know more about the spiders, I would refer to the publications of Prof. N. M. Hentz, J. H. EMERTON,
Henry C. McCook, Count E. KreyservinG, G. W. and E. G. PECKHAM.
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