NATURAL ENEMIES 
79 
pitals. It will not be necessary, therefore, to give 
spiders any extended consideration here. Mr. Nathan 
Banks, the well-known writer on these interesting crea¬ 
tures, has jotted down for the writer the following 
brief notes on the subject: 
“The most common spider in houses is Theridium 
tepidariorum Koch. It occurs throughout the civilized 
world. It builds an irregular web in the upper corners 
of rooms, and if the housewife is not too tidy, one may 
often see flies in its webs. Steatoda borealis and Tentana 
triangulosa are related spiders, occurring in this coun¬ 
try and in- Europe; their webs are commonly under or 
behind furniture, in darker places than those of the 
Theridium. They do not catch as many flies, but their 
webs are safer from the housekeeper’s broom. 
“Agalena ncevia, a common field spider, is frequently 
found in houses, especially outhouses, outside kitchens, 
etc.; sometimes they live in these double screens; they 
need some crack or hole in which to retire; the web 
spreading fan-like from this hole, which they line with 
silk. 
“Salticus scenicas is a common jumping spider about 
houses, usually on the outer side of houses, but often 
seen on windows, where one may watch with much in¬ 
terest their method of stalking and suddenly leaping 
on unsuspecting flies. 
“In cellars, packing boxes, and other dark places, 
other spiders occur; Tegenaria derliami and Amauro- 
bins ferox being common in the United States and in 
Europe. 
