xvi INTRODUCTION 



and in shady places ; (4) the Epeiridae (p. 154), the round-web 

 spiders ; (5) the Cribellata, having a calamistrum (see p. 205) 

 on the hind legs and making rough webs that gather dust. 

 Cobwebs are of four principal kinds : 



1. The flat webs, closely woven of long threads crossed by 

 finer ones in all directions and connected with a tubular nest 

 where the spider hides, and from which it runs out on the 

 upper side of the web after insects that may fall upon it. 

 These are made by Agalena and Tegenaria (pp. 91 to 104). 



2. The net-like webs, made of smooth threads in large 

 meshes, sometimes in a flat or curved sheet held out by threads 

 in all directions. The spider lives on the under side, back 

 downward. These are made by Therididae and Linyphiadae 

 (pp. 107, 134). 



3. The round webs, made of threads radiating from a common 

 center and crossed by circular loops and spirals, part of which 

 are adhesive. 



4. The webs of the Ciniflonidae, composed in part of loose 

 bands of silk (p. 205). 



The simplest and best way to preserve spiders for examina- 

 tion is to put them in alcohol. It kills them immediately and 

 keeps their form and markings and, to a great extent, their 

 colors. They may be kept alive for a few days in glass bottles 

 or jars. It is not necessary to make holes in the covers, or to 

 feed the spiders often. They need water, and this can be fur- 

 nished them conveniently by putting a piece of wet paper or 

 rag in the bottle. 



If one wishes to find what spiders live in his neighborhood, 

 they must be looked for at all times and in all kinds of places. 

 The house and cellar should be looked over and the spiders 

 watched until they are fully grown. The outside of the house 

 and fences should be looked over occasionally in the same way, 

 only those spiders being taken that are full grown, unless they 



