206 

THE COMITY OF SPIDERS 

winter than in the summer months, but there is insufficient data to 

show if this seasonal variation applied to spiders. 

In my work I have employed nothing more complicated than a 

metal frame, one square foot in area, which is forced down into the 

ground. For this reason my figures are likely to be under estimates of 

the population, but in spite of this they yield higher figures than any 

previously recorded. In part this can be attributed to the fact that I was 

concentrating on the spider section of the fauna only. In addition it 

must not be overlooked that the fields examined by Morris and Ladell 

were bare, whereas my counts were made in an undisturbed field of 

rough Cock's foot grass (

Dactylis glomerata

)

near Bexhill. Three to 

six sample square feet were taken on each date. 

(In thousands to the nearest thousand.) 

 Mar. 

Apr. 

May 

June 6th. 

Aug. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Feb. 5th.

12th.

18th.

25th.

13th.

24th.

20th.

Drassidae 

15 

15 

87      

Clubionidae 

87  44  73  44 283 87 218 261 

Thomisidae 

116 44  29  18 131   

  218 

Salticidae 

  29 

18 

44    

Lycosidae 174 116 145 35  87 131 174 131 

Pisauridae 

29     9     44 44 

Argiopidae   58  73  18 109 44   

Theridiidae 

218 131  44  61  479 218 566 348 

Mimetidae 

29 44 15 26 65 87 44 44 

Linyphiidae 

585 813 624 462 1,067 

1,655 915 697 

Totals 

1,253 1,265 1,119  691  2,265 2,222 1,961 1,743 

With the exception of those for May (1937) and February (1939), 

the above figures relate to 1938. They seem to indicate a peak 

population in late summer and autumn. 

The early summer months of 1938 were unusually dry. and the 

census made in June confirmed one's general observation as to the 

unusual scarcity of spider life, occasioned no doubt mainly by the 

drought but partly