Jan., 1919] 



Mysmena Bulbifera 



211 



Glenognatha bulbifera is a rather small pink and silver 

 spider sometimes marked with black. It is rather common in 

 the meadows and waste lands around Columbus, where it 

 builds its delicate orb web in grass or weeds in rather hot dry 

 situations. Usually the web is placed horizontally about two 

 inches above the ground. The strands are so delicate that it 

 is usually entirely overlooked. Near sunset, however, on 

 finding the proper angle, the rays of the sun will reflect from its 

 surface and make it easy to determine that the web is about 

 four and one-half inches in diameter. The spiral strands are 

 very close together and clearly hold drops of viscid silk. Blades 



Fig. 1 



Fig. 2 



of grass and other vegetation may grow up through the web 

 apparently without causing its owner any uneasiness. The 

 spiders, both males and females, remain on the under side of 

 the web at its center unless disturbed when they drop to the 

 ground and run rapidly away. If a vibrating forceps is touched 

 to the edge of the web the spider orients and runs rapidly to 

 the spot touched. If the forceps is withdrawn, the spider 

 returns to the center. Mating occurs in June at the center of 

 the web, both individuals hanging head downward. The male 

 seeks the female and apparently can distinguish other males 

 or females only by their reactions to his advances. I have 

 seen two males fight for some time at the center of the web 

 until the intruder was driven off and made to drop^to the 

 ground. When a male approaches a female, however, he is 



