142 



AMERICAN SPIDERS AND THEIR SPINNINGWORK. 



represents in her spinningwork three separate tribes of spiders, namely, 

 the Orbweavors, to which she herself belongs ; the Lineweavers, whose 

 spinningwork she imitates in her netted maze of crossed lines ; and the 

 Tubeweavers, whose snare is represented by the structure just described. 

 See also Fig. 123, g. 



The distribution of Epeira triaranea has not been very satisfactorily 

 determined ; but it probably inhabits all the northern, central, 

 and northern-southern portions of our continent between the two 

 oceans. It has been located by collection in New England, the 

 Middle and Western States, Utah, and Santa Cruz, California. 



Distribu 

 tion. 



Among the spinners 

 thaddeus Hentz. In size 

 sembles Triara 



Epeira 

 thaddeus. 



lar orb. As far 

 tend it affects 

 persistently than Triara 

 neighborhood of human 

 to screen itself beneath a 

 leafy tent, and in such 

 tubular nest within which 

 trapline of its snare. The 

 midst of which Triaranea 

 nest is wanting from the 

 are the chief variations 

 ningwork between the two 

 widely distrib 

 tions being Al 

 as far as to En 



Distribu- 

 tion. 



of sectoral orbs is Epeira 

 and habit it closely re- 

 nea and weaves a simi- 

 as m}' observations ex- 

 wooded locations more 

 nea, or at least shuns the 

 habitations. It is inclined 

 curled leaf or within a 

 sites spins a strong silken 

 it dwells, holding to the 

 maze of right lines in the 

 hangs her bell .shaped 

 web of Thaddeus. Tliese 

 in general habit and s}>in- 

 spiders. Thaddeus is 

 uted, its southern loca- 

 South Carolina, 



Fig. 132. Tubular gangway (n.c) 

 between the tent and orb of 

 Triaranea. g.l., guy lines sup- j^bama 

 porting tube. • ' T7.1 • i ,\ 



terprise, J<lorida; nortli- 

 ward it has been found in New England, Wisconsin ; and in the Middle 

 States at least to the prairies. It probably has range over the entire At^ 

 lantic slope and Mississippi Valley. 



III. 



During the winter of 1882-3 Mrs. Rosa Smith Eigenmann sent me from 

 San Diego, in the extreme southern part of California, a few spiders, among 



which were several of a species which proved to be Zilla x-notata. 



In subsequent correspondence I ascertained that the snare of this 

 Zilla aranead was distinguished by a free sector, and several cocoons 



were forwarded, from which I succeeded in raising fine broods of 

 younglings. These I located upon plants and various elevated objects within 

 a warm room, and as they freely spun their characteristic orbs I soon had 

 a number for study, of wliich an example is figured. Fig. 133 was spun 

 underneath tlie handle of a small basket, and is drawn natural size. The 



