Superfamily Argiopoidea 



the cephalothorax is marked with three dark lines, and the legs 

 are prominently ringed with black. The male is nearly one fifth 

 inch in length; the female, about one fourth inch. 



This species is found under stones and logs. I have not 

 observed its web; but Menge in his work on Prussian Spiders, for 

 this is a common European species, states that it makes a hori- 

 zontal net-like web in the grass or heath at the base of trees. And 

 I have taken a female with her egg-sac in thick grass; this was 

 in April. 



The male represented by Fig. 403 was taken in August; but 

 was immature. It illustrates well the phenomenon of reproduc- 

 tion of lost parts. This individual had evidently lost, when 

 young, his left hind leg; and a new leg was half grown at the time 

 he was captured. 



This is the Bolyphantes bucculenta of some authors; but it 

 is the Aranea lineaia of Linnaeus. 



The Filmy Dome Spider, Linypbia marginata (L. mar-gi- 

 na'ta). — The marvellous delicacy and peculiar form of the web 

 of this spider leads me to suggest the above popular name 

 for it. 



The adult spider of either sex measures about one sixth inch 

 in length. The cephalothorax is yellowish brown margined on 

 each side with a light stripe. The abdomen is yellowish white 

 heavily marked with dark bands and stripes (Fig. 404); in the 

 middle of the upper side there is a broad band which consists of 

 three parts united by narrower portions, and at the tip of the 

 abdomen there is a spot which is usually connected with this band 

 by a very narrow line. This dorsal band and apical spot usually 

 include two series of more or less distinct, lighter spots, frequently 

 two pairs of spots in each division of the band. On the sides of 

 the abdomen there are several dark stripes; those on the basal 

 half of the abdomen are longitudinal, while those on the hind half 

 are vertical. These lateral stripes are less distinct in the male. 



The web of this spider is usually found on herbs or low bushes 

 in cool moist places, as in the borders of a woodland path, or on 

 shrubs fringing a shady stream. It may be very common and 

 yet not attract attention; for it is so delicate that it is often in- 

 visible except when the light falls upon it in the most favourable 

 manner. And even then its marvellous beauty and delicacy can 

 be appreciated only when seen against a dark background. It is 



390 



