1888.] NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 175 



iuquiiy. Argiope riparla and /aseiato have protective wings of reti- 

 telarian lines tlirowu out on each side of their nets, Avhich protect 

 the exterior of their bodies; and a thick shield-like sheeting which 

 protects the underside of the body. These spiders are highly colored 

 and conspicuous by size ; they dwell in shrubs, bushes, grasses, low 

 trees, and commonly are stationed in the centre of their round webs,, 

 having no domicile or tent to which they retire. 



The very bright colored spiders Epeira insularis and trifollum, do- 

 not hang habitually in the centre of their webs, but live in leafy 

 tents and their habitat is among shrubs and trees. Inndaris inclines- 

 to groves etc., much more strongly than trifollum. Epeira thaddeus 

 has the same habit. 



Per contra, Eperia strix, which is not a bright colored spider, by 

 any means, is one of the most secretive orb-weavers in its habits,, 

 dwelling in a domicile of rolled leaves, shrinking away into cavitics- 

 and holes, under bark etc., and only occupying its snare during th& 

 night. 



Epeira domiciliorum and cinerea (Harrisonai) are also spiders of 

 rather inconspicuous colors, and both of them screen themselves in 

 tents, though domiciliorum, at least, not so habitually as insidaris and 

 trifolimn. 



Epeira labyrinthea and triaranea are among the most strongly 

 protected by industry, having besides their orb and thick reti- 

 telarian snare, a dome-shaped silken tent as a domicile, and lab- 

 ryinthea in addition a dry leaf as shelter above her body or tent. 

 These spiders are strongly marked as to their patterns but do not 

 have the bright hues which characterize Argiope, Epteira insidaris 

 and others. 



Meta hortorum is one of the most brilliantly colored of our indig- 

 inous spiders. Although its colors harmonize, particularly its green 

 and metallic silver, with its leafy surroundings, it rests beneath it& 

 horizontal orb, and has straggling, pyramidal, retitelarian lines be- 

 neath it. It dwells mostly in wooded places, at least in this neigh- 

 borhood. Epeira gibberosa is also a bright colored spider. It dwells- 

 beneath a sort of hammock or stretcher of lines woven between the- 

 edges of a leaf. It is thus very well protected. 



Our three indiginous species of Acrosoma, rugosa, spinea and 

 mitrata are all, particularly the first two, well marked spiders. They 

 are protected, mitrata least conspicuously, by spinous processes, (if 

 such can be called protections). They live in the centre of their 

 orbs as a rule, and their webs are most frequently found stretched 

 between the trunks of young trees, in openings of groves, woods, and 

 like spots. 



Gasteracaniha, with its strongly developed spines has very much 

 the same habit as our indiginous Acroso7na, but the spines appear to 

 be wanting in the young of this genus, the very age, one would 

 think, at which they are most needed. However, the young of 

 Gasteracaniha, at least w'ith numerous specimens sent from the Pa- 



