xiv INTRODUCTION 



then Epeira trivittata (p. 166) is found on all kinds of bushes 

 and grass, and later Epeira insularis (p. 169) and Epeira trifolium 

 (p. 171) in hidden nests near their webs. Epeira angulata, 

 sylvatica, and nordmanni (p. 162) live among bushes and 

 trees. Cyclosa conica (p. 183), Acrosoma spi?iea (p. 190), and 

 Uloborus (p. 216) live among low bushes in openings of the 

 woods. Hyptiotes (p. 218) lives among the lower dead branches 

 of pines, perching on the end of a twig which it exactly matches 

 in color. 



The marshes are the home of great numbers of spiders. The 

 Tetragnathas (p. 198) live there, especially along the streams 

 and ditches. Epeira gibberosa (p. 175) and placida (p. 1 j6) make 

 their horizontal and oblique webs among the tall grass in open 

 places. The two species of Argiope (pp. 193 to 198) swarm in 

 marshes and open fields and in autumn become conspicuous by 

 their size and bright colors, and when they disappear leave over 

 winter their brown cocoons (pp. 197, 200) fastened to the grass. 



The moss and dead leaves in the woods are alive with 

 spiders ; even in summer some species always live there, and 

 in winter the young of those that in warm weather live among 

 the bushes find shelter where they can remain torpid through 

 the cold season without freezing. 



The eggs of spiders are covered with silk, forming a cocoon 

 which varies much in shape and color in different species. 

 Some spiders hang it in the web, others attach it to plants or 

 stones, and others carry it about with them either in the mandi- 

 bles or attached behind to the spinnerets. The young remain 

 in the cocoon until they are able to run about, and after com- 

 ing out of the cocoon keep together for a short time, sometimes 

 in a web which they make in common, sometimes in a nest 

 made by the mother, and in some species on the mother's 

 back, but they soon scatter and hunt their own food or make 

 cobwebs, according to the habits of the species. 



