1892.] NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 11 



THE SPIDER FAUNA OF THE UPPER CAYUGA LAKE BASIN. 

 BY NATHAN BANKS. 



In the list given below are contained all the species of spiders known 

 to occur in or near Ithaca. The region examined has no exact 

 limits. It may best be defined as the Upper Cayuga Lake Basin. 

 It embraces the country drained by the streams which flow into the 

 head of the Cayuga Lake. The shores of the Lake have been ex- 

 amined only for a short distance: on the west side for ten miles to 

 Traghanic ; on the east about four miles to Burdick's Glen. A 

 large share of the collecting has been done in the beds of the gorges 

 and in the swamps. Of these, those most carefully examined are 

 as follows: of the gorges, Fall, Cascadilla, Six Mile and Buttermilk 

 Creek ; of the swamps, Inlet Marsh, Beebe Island and South Hill 

 ]\Iardh. Collecting in the other localities has not been so thorough. 

 The collecting began in the spring of 1888 and has lasted about two 

 years. From these facts it may be seen that the list is not at all 

 complete. 



The collecting has been done chiefly by myself although others 

 have occasionally given me specimens. To them I am deeply 

 indebted, both for the specimens and for the encouragement they 

 have shown me. Those who have especially aided- me are Mr. G. 

 Van Ingen, Mr. H. Hicks, Mr. A. D. MacGillivray, Mr. H. W. 

 Norris and Mr. Brace. 



To Prof. L. M. Underwood, of Syracuse University, I am under 

 the deepest of obligations. Were it not that he kindly lent me 

 much literature on the subject, this paper could not have been 

 written. To the Rev. Dr. H. C. McCook, of Philadelphia, I wish 

 to express my thanks for the work done upon the Epeiridre. To J. H. 

 Eraerton I am deeply indebted for much help in determining 

 several species, and to Prof. J. H. Corastock, under whose direction 

 the paper has been written, for much kindly assistance and en- 

 couragement. 



The country is very diversified, low lands and high hills, marshes, 

 creeks forming beautiful gorges, bare rocky cliflfe and mud- 

 bottoms. The climate is as varied as the country. These facts, 

 with its flora and insect fauna, account for the large number of 

 spiders. Diversity of country is of course more favorable to ground 

 spiders than to web-building ones ; so it will be noticed that the pro- 



