. The cyclopædia of anatomy and physiology. Anatomy; Physiology; Zoology. 210 ARACHNIDA. but in some cases there exists a well-marked character. The greater part of the araneae of the male sex have, at the extremity of their maxillary palp, a swelling containing a compli- cated structure, which is not found in the female. Until lately this protuberance was considered, notwithstanding its anomalous po- sition, as the penis of the male; and even now this opinion is maintained by many naturalists. All observers indeed, both ancient and mo- dern, agree in stating that copulation takes place by mea
. The cyclopædia of anatomy and physiology. Anatomy; Physiology; Zoology. 210 ARACHNIDA. but in some cases there exists a well-marked character. The greater part of the araneae of the male sex have, at the extremity of their maxillary palp, a swelling containing a compli- cated structure, which is not found in the female. Until lately this protuberance was considered, notwithstanding its anomalous po- sition, as the penis of the male; and even now this opinion is maintained by many naturalists. All observers indeed, both ancient and mo- dern, agree in stating that copulation takes place by means of this part. They have repeatedly observed the fact, and have described the pro- cess with all the details that can inspire con- fidence in their observations. Nevertheless it appears to us certain, if the anatomical facts we are about to disclose are accurate, that there is some mistake on their part, and that what they have taken for the act of copulation was in reality only a prelude to it. It is indeed true thit the male spiders are distinguished from the females by the swelling at the extre- mity of the maxillary palp, and that that swel- ling presents a very complicated structure. Treviranus, Savigny, and, earlier than these, Lyonnet, have given detailed figures of it, which may be consulted with advantage: our descrip- tion will be after that of Treviranus, and from observations made on the common spider, Tc- genaria domestica. The male of this species, when arrived at the adult state, presents a considerable dilatation at the extremity of its maxillary palp (JigAOQ,a). On carefully observing this swelling, it is per- 100. ceived to arise from the penultimate joint (i), which is enlarged and spiny. The swelling it- self, or what has been termed penis, (Jig. 100 and^g. 101, «,) is a con- cave body from which a membranous, vesi- cular, and glandiform body (c) protrudes, ter- m inated by several d horny pieces ((/), which are curved and pro- ject but slightly in this
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