336 SOME NEW ARANEID^. OF X.S.W , 



localities Mliere Eucalypts are not abundant, other leaves are 

 used, and those of Lantana camara are not uncommon. 



The interior of these nests is beautifully lined with silk. The 

 cocoon is attached and suspended among the supporting lines on 

 one side of the web; it consists of a Eucalypt leaf doubled over 

 so that the tip and base nearly meet. The eggs are deposited 

 inside the folded leaf, and then it is sealed up firmly and tightly, 

 the female mounting guard during the period of inculcation. At 

 Waterfall and Fairfield, I liaAe met with another species of 

 Epeira (at present undetermined) that constructs a mesh and 

 makes a leaf -nest like the one just described. 



Among the Thoiniaidce there are some interesting examples of 

 protective colouration and mimicry. Two spiders found within 

 the vicinity of Sydney, but whose range extends both to the 

 northern and southern colonies, namely CeJcsnia excocata, Koch, 

 and Tlilaosoma duhuon, Cambr., mimick the excreta of birds. 



When awaiting their prey these spiders lie on their backs, and 

 in this position their appearance suggests that of a bird's dropping, 

 the denser part of the body on the underside being of a chalky 

 colour, spotted and streaked with dark markings; then, too, the 

 legs, owing to their colour and being closely pressed up to the body, 

 add greatly to the deception. In addition to all this a little loose 

 silk is spun over a portion of the surface of a leaf, in the centre of 

 which the spider lies; this completes the deception as it resembles 

 the more liquid portions of the f;eces running off the leaf, and 

 thickening at the edge as it trickles over. The deception is just 

 as complete as could well be imagined. No one looking at either 

 one or the other of these spiders in the situation described would 

 ever imagine, unless previously aware of the fact, that an animal 

 lay before them patiently awaiting the descent of some unwary 

 insect in quest of food, yet such is the case. These spiders hold 

 themselves in position by inserting the strong spines with which 

 their legs are armed, under the loose silk referred to. C. excavata 

 makes a nest of dead, brown leaves; the cocoons or egg-bags vary 

 in number. Mr. F. A. A. Skuse recently showed me a living 



