2016 December 30

   Jeremy Tatum writes:  This spider was in my bath this morning.

Eratigena atrica (Aea.: Agelenidae)  Jeremy Tatum

   Re the spelling of  “gypsy” (see December 29 posting).  Apparently “gypsy” is usual in the U.S.   The spelling “gipsy” is in the older British moth books  (South, Kirby), but modern ones use “gypsy”.  The “gipsy” spelling was used in the pre-war de Havilland biplane aircraft, and for the sailing boat that Sir Francis Chichester sailed around the world in.  Etymologically the word comes from the same root as “Egypt” so the y-spelling is to be preferred.