Superfamily Argiopoidea 



and indistinct dark marks on the sides of the head. The general 

 colour of the abdomen is light brownish yellow with a distinct 

 folium. The basal part of the folium is occupied by two pairs 

 of large, white, yellow, or pink spots (Fig. 526) behind these there 

 is a series of pairs of transverse 

 black barsextending nearly to the 

 tip of the abdomen. 



The male measures one fifth 

 inch in length. It resembles 

 the female in the markings of the 

 abdomen; but the abdomen is 

 small and more elongate than 

 in the female. The tibia of the 

 second legs is armed with strong 

 spines above. 



The web of this species is de- 

 scribed by Emerton ('02). It is of 

 a composite type, being an orb- 

 web combined with an irregular 

 net resembling somewhat the 

 web of Metepeira labyrinthea 

 (Fig. 478). The orb is incom- 

 plete, a segment back of the trapline having few or no turns 

 of the viscid spiral. The retreat to which the trapline extends 

 is a large silken tent; and between the retreat and the orb there 

 is an irregular net. 



This is the Epeira globosa of Keyserling and the Epeira 

 triaranea of McCook. 



Genus NEOSCONA (Ne-os-co'na) 



This genus includes a group of species which is commonly 

 included in Aranea, but which is sharply distinguished from that 

 genus. In Neoscona the median furrow of the thorax of the 

 female is longitudinal; and the epigynum is of a very characteristic 

 form, which varies only in details in the different species. There 

 is a circular or elongate atriolum, without depressions, to the hind 

 margin of which is fused a strongly chitinized, more or less elon- 

 gate, spoon-shaped scape (Fig. 527). The males can be recognized 

 as a rule by the resemblance of the markings of the abdomen 

 to those of the female. 



Fig. 526. ARANEA PEGNIA, FEMALE 



495 



