THE EPEIRID^ l6l 



color, less broken by spots and transverse marks than in the 

 others. The front legs of sclopetaria are longer than those 

 of the other species, and the front legs of strix shorter and 

 stouter. The cephalothorax of strix is more plainly marked 

 than the others, with three longitudinal stripes. There is 

 not much difference in the markings of the under side. The 

 epigynum has two hard brown prominences at each side, with 

 a soft finger-like appendage between. In sclopetaria and 

 strix this finger is slender and tapers slightly toward the end. 

 In patagiata it is wide at the end and flattened. In the 

 palpi of the males there is a similar difference. Those of 

 sclopetaria and strix are much alike, but that of patagiata has 

 the forked hook at the base much thicker and more curved. 

 Patagiata is a northern species, common in Canada and found 

 occasionally as far south as Massachusetts and New York. It 

 is also common in the north of Europe. Sclopetaria is also a 

 European species, and is seldom found far from houses. It is 

 more common north, but has been found as far south as Nor- 

 folk, Va. Strix is common all over the country, both around 

 houses and in bushes. 



The webs of these spiders have usually from twelve to twenty 

 rays, and the inner spiral is small and carelessly finished 

 (figs. 379, 380). The webs are made usually at nightfall, 

 very young individuals beginning to spin soon after sunset, 

 and larger ones beginning later, those that are full grown 

 often waiting until dark, but some of them will occasionally 

 spin their webs at any time of day. They stand in the web 

 during the night, but seldom during the daytime, going then 

 to their usual nests or hiding places, sometimes, especially 

 with Epeira strix, a long distance from the web. As a rule, 

 they have no special thread by which to enter or leave the 

 web, but use any one of the rays which may be convenient, 

 always injuring the web more or less ; but occasionally, if 



