Superfamily Argiopoidea 



found chiefly on herbaceous plants, although it occurs also on 

 shrubs, the lower branches of trees, and even on fences. 1 have 

 observed it most often on the borders of woodlands, in gorges, 

 and in valleys near streams. In almost every web that 1 have 

 examined there was a curled leaf that was used as a retreat by the 



Fig. 4io- WEB OF LIWI'IIIA IM'SII.I.A 



spider. The relation of this retreat to the web varied greatly, 

 the leaf being either at one end, on one side, or near the middle 

 of the web. 



If, however, there is not a curled leaf available for a retreat, 

 the spider will build a tent of silk. This was done in the case 

 of the web represented in Fig. 409. Here the retreat is composed 



397 



