1908.] NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 243 



would not have been passed over. However, Hentz would seem to 

 have written his description after he had been in the South and away 

 from Massachusetts for many years, and doubtless had before him 

 only the Southern form, which he erroneously supposed to be the 

 same as the turret builder he recalled as common in Massachusetts. 

 Old and rubbed specimens of arenicola might appear similar, as the 

 markings in this form are due to color of the hair. Whatever Northern 

 form it was the habits of which Hentz had in mind, it was long ago 

 separated under another name, and this common and widespread 

 Southern form which Hentz undoubtedly described as and called 

 fatifera must logically continue to bear this name. 



The species has been found abundant in the ''sandy waters bordering 

 the lower end of Lake Michigan" by Mr. J. C. Hancock ('99) who says : 

 "Patches of high grass, sedges and ragweeds made the open lay of ground 

 a paradise of running spiders. Here it was the castle-building species 

 [termed by him domifex] seemed perfectly at home, showing its varied 

 accomplishments to best advantage. The artfully-hidden castle is 

 not apparent to the uninitiated while walking over the ground, as it is 



commonly secreted in a recess of overhanging dried grass 



When one remembers the average size of the adult castle, only five- 

 eighths of an inch high and a little over one-half inch in diameter, it is 

 obvious that close inspection is quite essential. Usually the spider's 

 tube is constructed vertically in the ground, unless obstructions cause 



some deviations Old spiders live in their burrows for more 



than a season and often remodel them after being injured by storms. 

 Younger specimens re-dig outgro^vn burrows, enlarging them as 



occasion requires Materials used in the construction of the 



turrets were green and dried grass leaves, dried fine sedges, leaves of 

 foxtail grass, fibrous roots, etc. Young specimens not infrequently 

 build a perfect httle tower, almost entirely of stones, and one I have 

 in mind had nine such particles made into a compact edifice five milli- 

 meters high. The masonry was exquisitely put up, every stone bearing 

 out true proportions about the central opening of four millimeters 

 diameter. Silk used as cement held the whole together securely." 



The author has found the burrows of this species abundant over 

 grassy stretches on the foothills near Salt Lake City. In the case 

 of some burrows no turrets are present; but in most cases turrets of 

 dried sticks, grass or earth are found. 



Lycosa lenta Hentz, 1844. 



(J. Bost. Nat. Hist., IV, p. 386.). 

 Female.— Tegument of cephalothorax reddish brown as usual, lighter 



