Savory - Arachnida 1977

268 IV. DE ARACHNOLOGIA
Australian Museum. He wrote over 70 papers dealing with different
aspects of the arachnida of Australia, and in 1911 summarized the whole
in a great "Census of Australian Araneidae".
Nothing comparable with this has appeared more recently, but K. C.
McKeown's "Australian Spiders" of 1952, a revision of his "Spider
\\' onders of Australia" of 1936, should not be overlooked.
Meanwhile the spiders of Tasmania were revealing the possibilities that
awaited the zoologists of the island. V. V. Hickman holds the distinction
of being the first arachnologist of the Commonwealth to hold a
university chair, and his discoveries among the minute spiders on
Mount \Vellington stand in a class by themselves.
31. HISTORICAL ARACHNOLOGY 269
4. The American Arachnological Society
Founded 1973. President: Dr Beatrice R. Vogel;
Secretary/Treasurer: Dr Mel E. Thompson.
Ten years earlier a study group, The Arachnologists of the South-\Vest,
was founded under the leadership of Dr B. J. Kaston of San Diego; and
from it grew the larger American Society. Its aims are the same as those
of the other Societies mentioned, and its organization is elaborate. Its
excellent publication, the Journal of Arachnology, appears in January,
May and August.
An historical chapter must stop short of the present generation, but it
is legitimate to add that the advance in arachnology during the past
30 years has been rapid and worldwide. An important degree of cooperation
between arachnologists is now in being, and has encouraged
and directed the formation of organized societies, some information of
which is of value.
l. Toa Kumo Grakki: Arachnological Society of East Asia
Founded 1936. President: Dr Takeo Yaginuma
Membership is confined to residents in east Asia; arachnologists of other
regions can subscribe to the Society's journal, Acta Arachnologica, which
is issued twice a year. Its Japanese contributions are followed by
English summaries.
2. Centre International de Documentation Arachnologique
Founded 1950. Secretary-General: Professor Max Vachon
The Centre covers the world, with appointed representatives in most
countries. Its Annuaire contains the names and addresses of all arachnologists
and its yearly Liste des Travaux Arachnologiques records
recent and forthcoming papers and books. An International Congress
is held normally every third year in a different country, an invaluable
occasion that should never be missed.
3. The British Arachnological Society
Founded 1969. President: Professor B.]. ~farples;
Hon. Secretary: J. R. Parker.
This Society grew through the British Spider Study Group from the
Flatford Mill Spider Study Group, inaugurated in 1959 by G. H.
Locket. In every respect an active and practical company, it arranges
field courses several times a year in different areas. Its Annual General
Meeting also changes its location, so that the whole country is covered.
Its Bulletin, accompanied by a News Letter, is issued in March, July
and September.