182 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF [1889. 



tion was there precisely like that in which it has always been dis- 

 covered, in cool, shaded retreats overhanging or close to running 

 water. He had provided himself with all the apparatus necessary 

 to make a satisfactory microscopic examination of the webs. Many 

 of his previous investigations were repeated and confirmed. The 

 viscid globules were found to be visible along the spiral lines with a 

 common hand lens. Not satisfied with this, portions of the web 

 were removed and microscopically examined, and thus displayed 

 beyond doubt the presence of the viscid beads. 



The behavior of the web was precisely like similar portions of the 

 orb of Epeira. The beads Avould melt upon the glass, leaving the 

 thread visible as a straight line. Within the cups or frames, upon 

 which the lines were taken for examination, the beads being undis- 

 turbed were readily examined and their character easily determined. 

 Drawings were made of these beads, and the number counted on 

 single strings, amounting in one case to sixty-four. A number of 

 insects entangled upon several snares were also observed and draw- 

 ings made. They showed in every instance the same method of 

 entanglement as that so frequently observed upon the web of Epeira. 

 The feet, wings and antennae of a fly were caught in the viscid lines 

 from which, at certain parts, the gummy material had been absorbed 

 into the pubescence of the insect's limbs, and at other parts remained 

 in the globular form of beads. 



Dr. McCook not only satisfied himself beyond question of this 

 fact, but submitted the various tests, independently, to his private 

 secretary, Mr. Edwin S. Gault, who had been requested to carefully 

 note and accurately report precisely what he saw. His report con- 

 firmed in every particular as to the beaded nature of the spirals, 

 that which is here submitted. Thus the one point which remained 

 at least open to question concerning the spinning habit of this 

 interesting spider, has been placed beyond doubt. Thus also, the 

 position of Theridiosoma radiomm 1 is placed beyond doubt among 

 the Orbweavers. The special interest of this decision rests upon 

 the fact that the spinningwork of the Ray spider forms a remark- 

 able connecting link between that of the Triangle spider Hyptiotes, 

 and the ordinary geometric Orbweaver. The Triangle spider spins 

 a snare composed of four converging lines and uniting finally in a 

 common supporting thread known as the trap-line. They are joined 

 by cross lines after the manner of the spiral concentrics of an orbic- 

 ular web, but without any viscid armature as has been stated. 



This web is used for the capture of insects by a method of trap- 

 ping or springing the snare, which has been fully described by 

 various observers, particularly by Professor Burt Wilder. The 



awaiti 



1 Dr. McCook preferred for the present thus to characterize the spider, 

 citing until its actual identity with Dr. Koch's species shall be determined. 

 He had no species of the European Theridiosoma gemmosum with which to 

 compare his own specimens and had sent specimens to Europe for such comparison. 



