Superfamily Argiopoidea 



begin to deposit their eggs. These are enclosed in a string of 

 lenticular egg-sacs (Fig. 479), the formation of which extends over 

 a considerable period of time. The first egg-sac is formed near 

 the entrance of the retreat, and the others are placed successively 

 in line below this one, and are fastened to a strong cord of silk. 

 The cord supporting the egg-sac is stretched between two 

 branches and is made so strong by the addition of many drag- 

 lines that the egg-sacs are securely held in place through all the 

 storms of winter, long after all other 

 traces of the web are swept away. In 

 walking through woodlands in the 

 spring one often encounters these strong 

 silken cords, each with its string of egg- 

 sacs securely held in place. 



This species is found throughout 

 the greater part of the United States. 



Genus VERRUCOSA (Ver-ru-co'sa) 



In this genus the cervical groove 

 is deeply marked; the head is much 

 elevated above the thorax; the median 

 furrow of the thorax closely resembles 

 that of Aranea; theabdomen is flattened 

 above, is subtriangular in outline, and 

 is armed with tubercles behind; the 

 cuticula of the dorsum is somewhat 

 hardened. The scape of the epigynum 

 is elongate. 



There is some doubt regarding the 

 distinctnessof this genus; several authors 



class the species placed here in Aranea (Eperia). The following 

 is our best-known species. 



Verrucosa arenata (V. ar-e-na'ta). — The abdomen is sub- 

 triangular in outline and in the female is nearly as wide in front 

 as it is long (Fig. 480); it is narrowed behind but is not pointed. 

 The caudal end bears a number of small tubercles. The most 

 conspicuous feature is a large, triangular, light-coloured spot on 

 the abdomen; this is white, yellow, pink, or greenish, varying 

 in different individuals, and is divided by a mesh of fine, vein-like 



465 



Fig. 470. EGG-SACS OF 

 METEPEIRA LABYRINTHEA 



