WEAVERS OF ROUND WEBS. 



11' 



trivittata were found with a like peculiarity in Connecticut, Yet, I cannot 

 regard it as other than incidental. 



One might indulge the conjecture that this accidental feature of a 

 snare of Epeira offers a clue to the reason for the i)ermanent features of 

 a like character upon the webs of Argiope, Acrosonia, and Uloborus. The 

 difference or differences which have caused the characteristics to become 

 hxed in the last named genera are at present unknown. I venture only 

 to suggest that my observation sliows tliat these genera (piite habitually 

 remain upon their orbs ^^^^^^^^^^^^^_ continually, whereas the 

 Domicile spider and her ^^^^^^^S^^^^H congeners usually retire 

 from their orbs in day ^^^^^^^S^^^H time, and have nests or 

 dens to which they can ^^^HkIwS^^^^^H >'esort in foul weather or 

 in case of attack. I have ^^HnAnj^S^j^^l frequently found Domi- 

 cile in a leafy tent, but ^^Rlflfi!iiESa|w^H o^teuer without one ; lier 

 habit in this respect ^BM ^Bct iSSS^SB seems to connect Sclope- 

 taria whom I have never HSlRlS&BsSil^lfe^n seen in such an al)ode, 



Fii.. 106. Nest and snare of Epeira in.sularis. 



and Insularis who is always so found. On one occasion while driving 

 along a New Jersey road, I observed an orbweb spun upon the tall grass 

 beneath a young tree. The foundation lines and supports reached upwards 

 to the lowest branch, about twelve feet above the surface. Having climbed 

 out upon the branch I observed a spider nested within a curled leaf and 

 holding to a trapline that extended entirely to the orb beneath, the longest 

 trapline I remember ever to have seen. The nest was collected and the 

 occupant proved to be Domiciliorum. Closely related to the Dom- 

 ^,- .|.x X icile Spider is Epeira trivittata. The two are very similar in gen- 

 eral ai)[>earance and markings, the latter, liowever, being some- 

 what smaller. Their webs and general habits are the same. 



