172 AMERICAN SPIDERS AND THEIR SPINNINGWORK. 



the habit of deporting tlieir cocoons, like a Lycosid, tied to lier spinner- 

 ets. No Tubeweavers are known to carry tlieir cocoons. Among CUtigrades 

 the habit is universal with Lycosids, and prevails with Dolo- 



'■ ^y medes until about the time when the eggs are ready to hatch, 

 Portage . . 



ft qi. If when she discards the cocoon and deposits it within a prepared 



Qf g^Qjjgg_ nest. Ctenus probably resembles Dolomedes in this peculiarity. 



The Teri'itelariffi appear to carry their cocoons, although not to 

 the same extent as the Lycosids, owing to marked difference in mode of 

 living. None of the Saltigrades or Laterigrades are recorded as deporting 

 their egg sacs, except Heterapoda venatoria, who does so occasionally. The 

 eighth method of protection is sheltering cocoons beneath stones, l)ark, 

 etc. This is in use among all the tribes, with tlie probable exception of 

 the Tunnelweiivers. 



The ninth and last mode of protecting the cocoon is by simple suspen- 

 sory lines. This seems to be the simplest form of protection, and is 



doubtless effective against such enemies as would be apt to find 

 ®- -^y the eggs if placed upon a flat surface, but who would not venture 



to assault them if compelled to creep along a fragile thread. 

 Lines. Among Orbweavers few species are known, but there are some 



European representatives of this habit. Cyrtarachne may be 

 considered as thus providing for her cocoon. Among Lineweavers there 

 are a number of representatives, our most conspicuous American one being 

 Theridium frondeum. Of the Tubeweavers, Tegenaria niedicinalis, at least 

 occasionally, thus disposes of her cocoons; and among European species 

 are A galena brunnea and others that hang their flask like egg sac from 

 heather and other plants by means of a foot stalk. The other tribes, as 

 far as I know, do not swing their cocoons free in this manner. 



The accompanying table will show at one view the comparative preva- 

 lence of these various modes of protection among the tribes, as far as 

 my observations and notes permit. It will be seen from this view that 

 all the modes of protection, witli the exception of portage, prevail among 

 Orbweavers and Tubeweavers ; tliat all the methods are represented among 

 Lineweavers, although some of them ajDpear to be faintly developed and 

 sparsely represented therein. 



5. A fifth basis of comparison is the form of cocoons. The greatest va- 

 riety obtains among Orbweavers. Round cocoons, hemispherical or piano 



convex, pyriform, or stalked cocoons, with various modifications, 

 „ as illustrated in the accompanyihg group, are tlie forms that 



commonly prevail among American Orbweavers. A comparison 

 with the cocoonery of European and exotic Orbweavers, as far as they are 

 known, shows that there is a substantial likeness between them and the 

 American spider fauna. 



