Superfamily Argiopoidea 



twig. The spider is usually quite close to the twig, so that it ap- 

 pears as a small bud (Fig. 246); but sometimes it rests a small 

 distance from the twig (Fig. 245). 



While at rest the spider pulls the web taut, so that there is 

 some loose line between its legs. When an insect becomes en- 

 tangled in one of the hackled bands, the spider suddenly lets 

 go the loose line so that the whole web springs forward, and 

 the insect is entangled in 

 other bands. The spider 

 then draws the web tight 

 and snaps it again. This 

 may be repeated several 

 times before the spider 

 goes out upon the web 

 after its prey 



Fig. 247. EGG-SAC OF 

 HYPTIOTES CAVATUS 



Fig. 248. PHOTOMICROGRAPH OF COVERING 

 OF EGG-SAC OF HYPTIOTES CAVATUS 



The egg-sac of the spider illustrates protective colouring as 

 well as does the spider itself. Although it is a common object in a 

 region where 1 have collected much, 1 never saw it until a spider 

 that was in a bottle in my laboratory made one on the cork stopper 

 of the bottle; having seen one specimen 1 was able to find others 

 in the field. Figure 247 represents the most conspicuous one 

 in our collection, somewhat enlarged. It is flat, oval, and closely 



272 



