American spiders and their spinningworkA natural history of the orbweaving spiders of the United States, with special regard to their industry and habits . ^q^ beyond doubt, to attract the attention of ., .|^ , the female, and render her complaisant to the addresses of herlover. The courtship of Saitis pulex was thus conducted: Themale, when placed in a box with a mature female, at once observed her,although she was twelve inches away. At the distance of four inches hestood still, and then began the most remarkable performances that anamorous male could offer to an admiring female. She eyed hi
American spiders and their spinningworkA natural history of the orbweaving spiders of the United States, with special regard to their industry and habits . ^q^ beyond doubt, to attract the attention of ., .|^ , the female, and render her complaisant to the addresses of herlover. The courtship of Saitis pulex was thus conducted: Themale, when placed in a box with a mature female, at once observed her,although she was twelve inches away. At the distance of four inches hestood still, and then began the most remarkable performances that anamorous male could offer to an admiring female. She eyed him eagerly,changing her position from time to time, so that he might always be inview. He, in the meantime, extended the fore legs upon one side of the De Geer, LHist. des lusectes, page LOVE DANCES OP SALTIGRADES. 51 body in such wise as to elevate that side and correspondingly to depress theother. The legs and palpus of the lower side were folded under, and uponthese the spider sidled along, moving in a semicircle for about two then instantly reversed the position of the legs, and circled in theopposite direction, gradually approaching nearer and nearer to the femalein the course of these oscillations. The female dashed toward him, while he, raising his first pair of legs,extended them upward and forward, as if to hold her off, but withal slowlyretreated. Again he began his oscillating movements until onepulex hundred and eleven circles had been counted. The female inthe meanwhile gazed toward him, apparently in a softer mood,evidently admiring the grace of his antics. When he had approachedalmost within reach of her, he whirled madly around and around her,she joining and whirling with him in a giddy maze. He then fell back,and resumed his semicircular mot
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectspiders, bookyear1890
