230 



INSECT LIFE. 



mcnts being very different from those of ordinary 

 spiders. These self-possessed spiders are able to 

 stare an ordinary observer out of countenance. They 

 move sidewise or backward with great ease, and can 

 jump a long distance. They stalk their prey, and 

 make no webs except nests, in which they hide in 

 winter or when molting or laying eggs. 



THE CRAB-SPIDERS. 



There are certain spiders which are called crab- 

 spiders, on account of the short and broad form of 

 the body, and the curious fact that they can walk 

 more readily sidewise or backward than forward. 



These spiders spin no webs, but lie in wait for 

 their prey. They live chiefly on plants and fences, 

 and in the winter hide in cracks and under stones 

 and bark. Most of the species are marked with gray 

 and brown, like the bark upon which they live. Some 

 species conceal themselves in flowers, where they lie 

 in wait for their prey. These are brightly colored, 

 like the flowers which they inhabit, so 

 that insects visiting flowers may alight 

 within reach of a spider before seeing it. 

 One of the best-known members of 

 FIG. 198. this family is the female of Misumena 



Misumena vatta. J 



vatia (Mi-su-me'na va'ti-a). This is milk- 

 white, with sometimes a light crimson mark on each 

 side of the abdomen, and is found within flowers 

 (Fig. 198). 



THE TARANTULAS AND THE TRAP-DOOR SPIDERS. 



Those who live in the warmer parts of our coun- 

 try know well the large spiders commonly called ta- 



