This book offers a clear, compact account of spider anatomy, classification, and the external and internal structures—legs, palpi, mandibles, spinnerets, eyes, breathing and reproductive organs—then describes feeding behavior and the effects of venom, and examines spinning and web-building habits including various web forms, nests, trap-door burrows, and ballooning. It also treats growth and sexual differences, palpal and epigynal reproductive organs, egg-laying, cocoons and care of young, moulting, parasites, and habitat and distribution, illustrated throughout with detailed figures and observational summaries.