When writing the “Species Details” for these pages I regularly turn to the Peckhams’ 1909 Revision of the Attidae of North America. Well over a century old it is a classic in many ways. The Peckhams transformed Hentz’ pioneering study of North America arachnids, published largely as a series of bare bones records, into a comprehensive faunal treatment including synonomies, detailed physical descriptions (including measurements of both males and females), record citations, as well as a series of competent illustrations by J. H. Emerton . Also critical to the Peckhams’ success was a cadre of arachnophiles across North America and the efforts necessary for an ongoing correspondence. Here is an excerpt from the Peckhams’ account of Salticus palpalis and a small example of their attention to detail.
The cephalothorax seems to have been covered above with iridescent rose-colored scales, which change to green on the sides and behind. Over the front row of eyes are three white spots, and around the margin is a broad white band which crosses the clypeus. The abdomen is entirely without iridescence, the color being bright brick-red, with four transverse pure white bands, the last of them at the spinnerets.
Peckham & Peckham, 1909