60 



BRANCH AHTHKOPODA. 



spinnerets (spln'ner ets); or it may pull out the thread 

 with its feet; or it may even allow the wind to draw it 



Fie. 95. 



Epei'ra diade'nm. Geometrical Spider. 



out, until a sufficiently long streamer has been formed, 

 to serve the animal as a parachute (par'a shut). The 

 FlG 96 Geometrical Spider is so called from 



the regularity of the radiating and 

 circular lines of its web. The Trap- 

 door Spider, Mygale hentzii (mig'a le 

 hentz'l T), constructs a subterranean 

 home. This is closed with a water- 

 tight trap-door, having an elastic 

 hinge, the outside mimicking the 

 soil around. When the Spider sus- 

 pects danger, it closes itself into its 

 home and grasps the lower side of the cover, effectually 

 locking it to all its enemies. This species of Mygale is 

 found in the Southern States. 



Nest of the Mygale. 



