MATERNAL INDUSTRY : COCOONS OF OKBWEAVERS. 



107 



Fig. 100. 



Fiii. 101. 





Fio. 102. Cocoon of 

 Uloborus, enlarged 

 to show the surface 

 points. 



loosely, by attaching threads, as is the case of some other spiders that 

 make several cocoons. However, in this respect, the habit may differ. As 



a rule these cocoons are stretched like those of 

 Cyclosa caudata, along the axis of the mother's 

 liorizontal orb, and are thus im- 

 mediately under the maternal 

 care. (Fig. 103.) In tliis posi- 

 tion I have seen them in New 

 •Jersey, and thus Mrs. Treat has 

 observed tliem, and so also Mr. 

 Emerton lias described them. 



Cocoon of Basilica spider: Fiii. 100, ,t. i/it /v 4 ■ ■ • ii • 



the case open to show the black ( J' ig- 104.) Uur American species appears in this 

 egg ball; Fig. 101, the ball open respect to havc the Same habit as the European 



to show the inside structure. . 



species, Uloborus walckenaerius. 



This mode of disjwsing of the cocoon, however, cannot be universal, 

 for I possess a specimen, received from Dr. George Marx, which is stretched 

 along a little twig, to which its orb was attached, at a point slightly above 

 the cocoon string. (Fig. 105.) 



Hentz describes the cocoon of Uloborus maiiinicatus as tapering at botli 

 ends, in color whitish, with veins of brownish black, and with many small 

 tubercles. He collected it in Alabama in dry places. ^ 



VI. 



The division here indicated between species habitually making a single 

 cocoon and species habitually spinning several is, on the whole, a natural 

 one; but tliere are certain facts to be noted wliitdi tlirow a measure of 



Fui. 103. Cocoon string of Uloborus in position upon tlie snare. 



uncertainty around any sucli generalization. Fov cxaiiiiilc, il lias liinj;' l)ccii 

 supposed that Argiope cophinaria spins but one cocoon ; and, judgiii.L; IVoni 



'Spiders of the United States," page lii'.l, iilat*.' xix., Kig. IL'U. 



