Superfamily Argiopoidea 



the foliate spider quite closely in appearance; but it can be readily 

 distinguished from it by the form of the epigynum and the form 

 of the bulb of the palpus of the male. The scape of the epigynum 

 is flat and widened at the tip (Fig. 517), and the apophysis of the 

 bulb of the palpus of the male is nearly as wide as long and is 

 split nearly to its base (Fig. 518, m. a). 



I have found this species much less common than either of 

 the other house Araneas. 



This is the Epeira patigiata of many authors. 



THE SMALLER ROUND-SHOULDERED ARANEAS 



Under this head are grouped those species of Aranea that are 

 neither angulate nor of large size. This group includes a larger 

 number of species than either of the preceding groups; but we 

 have space to describe only the more common ones. 



The Lattice-spider, Aranea thaddeus (A. thad'de-us). — The 

 full-grown female spider (Fig. 519) is about one fourth inch long, 

 with a wide round abdomen, which is usually white or light yellow 

 on the upper side, but which varies to the most brilliant purple 

 and pink. There is a dark stripe or a row of dark spots on each 

 side of the abdomen, and a large dark area on the ventral side 

 surrounding a light spot just back of the epigynum. The cephalo- 

 thorax and legs vary from yellow to orange-yellow and to yel- 

 lowish brown. The form of the epigynum is shown by Fig. 

 520. The male is rarely observed; it resembles the female in 

 colour. This species has been found throughout the eastern half 

 of the United States 



Like some Oriental ladies this beautiful spider spends the 

 day peering out from behind a lattice, and a wonderfully beautiful 

 lattice it is! It is built on the lower side of a leaf which has been 

 bent and fastened so as to form a tent; sometimes the tent is 

 formed of two or more leaves fastened together. From the apex 

 of this tent a silken tube hangs down. The wall of this tube is 

 not a continuous sheet but is perforated with many openings, 

 which make it appear like lattice-work (Fig. 521). The tube is 

 cylindrical, and in case of the larger specimens one inch or more 

 in length and one half inch in diameter. 



Below and slightly in front of this retreat is suspended the 

 orb. This is usually oblong, the vertical diameter being con- 



490 



