BY W. J. RAINBOW. 



537 



attached to webs tj^pical of this species, and thus formed a good 

 object lesson in their progressive architectural development. 



Argiope extensa, Rainb., and A. protensa, L. Koch, construct 

 their orbitular snares upon bushes, and are generall}' placed low 

 down. The egg-bag or cocoon of each is spherical, and about the 

 size of a pea. The eggs are green, and being only thinly enswathed 

 with fine colourless silk, the cocoons appear upon a superficial 

 examination to be of a light or pea-green colour. A. rega/is, L. 

 Koch, is a very common spider in the County of Cumberland, 

 although its range is by no means restricted within that area. 

 In the centre of its snare there is always a large X-like cross, the 

 lines of which are zig-zagged. These being broad and white form 

 a striking contrast to the fine, colourless lines of the orb. When 

 reposing in the centre of the mesh, the animal spreads out its legs 

 so as to describe an X, each pair being placed closely together. 

 The males are veritable pigmies in comparison with the females, 

 though in proportion to their size the legs of the former are 

 considerably longer. When pairing the sexes inhabit the same 

 web, the female occupying the centre as usual, and the male the 

 upper edge. The endeavour to ingratiate himself with the object 

 of his choice is not without the element of danger, and even 

 when he succeeds in so 

 doing he seldom escapes 

 scatheless. Before leaving 

 his post he always tries 

 the tension of the web 

 with his feet, after which i, -,» ,, 

 he runs down nimbly and ( f'^.^ 

 lightly, so as not to attract 

 her attention, climbs on her 

 back and remains for a 

 time in that position. 

 Should she not succeed in 



^r^- 



-IM^ 





Fiff. 2. 



dislodging him, he next 



endeavours to climb down to the underside of her abdomen, 



■where having attached himself in the necessary position, and with 



