INSECTS AND THEIR NEAR RELATIVES. 



and numerous lines extending in all directions to the sup- 

 porting spears of grass (Fig. 33). The tube serves as a 



FIG. ^. Web of Grass Spider, Agalcna nirvia. 



hiding-place for the owner of the web; from this retreat the 

 spider runs out on the upper surface of the web to seize any 

 insect that alights upon it. The tubes open below, near the 

 roots of the grass; so that the spider can escape from it if 

 a too formidable insect comes upon the web. 



The funnel-web weavers (family Agalenidoe) are long- 

 legged, brown spiders, in which the head part of thecephalo- 

 thorax is higher than the thoracic part, and distinctly 

 separated from it by grooves or 

 marks at the sides. The eyes 

 are usually in two rows, but 

 in Agalena the middle eyes of 

 both rows are much higher than 

 the others. The feet have three claws. The posterior pair 



FlG. 34. Agalena 



