153 



23. Theridion verecundum. 

 PI. 17, figs, l, 2. 



Description. Deep black, glossy; abdomen with blood-red 

 spots underneath, which sometimes extend above in a chain, 

 and with some waving; white lines anteriorly, which are some- 

 times wanting; feet 1. 4. 2. 3. Male slender, abdomen with 

 orange and white spots. 



Observations. This spider, by its jet black color, is readily 

 [28 1] distinguished. It is very common under stones, logs, 

 or clods of earth, where it makes a web, the threads of which 

 are so powerful as to arrest the largest hymenopterous insects, 

 such as humble-bees. Its bite, if I can rely on the vague 

 description of physicians unacquainted with entomology, is 

 somewhat dangerous, producing alarming nervous disorders, 

 which, however, are readily dispelled by brandy and other 

 stimulants. There is no doubt that all spiders have a poison 

 conveyed in the fang of their cheliceres, but in this case these 

 organs are very small in proportion to the size of the spider, and, 

 it would seem, are barely long enough to penetrate through the 

 epidermis of a man's hand or foot. 1 The male, whose palpi 

 have the black coil or penis external and very easily observed, 

 is distinguished from the male of Theridion lineatum by that 

 character, by its longer and slender legs, and by the white 

 spots on the sides of the abdomen, which are not elongated in 

 the form of lines. It has always been found on the top of 

 weeds in a small web, and never under stones near the female. 

 The cocoon is yellowish cinereous, of an ovoid form, and sus- 

 pended by its pointed extremity. 



Habitat. North and South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, etc. 



[It always remains in the centre of its web, feet uppermost. 

 Supplement.] 



[Ohio, 9 ; Hog Island, Eastern coast of Virginia. Win. Holden. J. u. E.] 



1 See Regne Animal, iv, 243, A. madam. 



