Araneae. 97 



the anterior pulmonary sacs, Init more usually unite to form a Table-caso 

 common aperture in front of the spinning appendages. ■'^°- ^■^• 



The great majority of spiders belong to this group, and the 

 habits are very varied in the different families. Many of the 

 species obtain their prey by means of webs, others by stealth or 

 by running it down. A number of species lead an aquatic or 

 semi-aquatic life. In most of the Mygalomorph spiders, and those 

 of the Arachnomorph spiders which live a free, wandering life, 

 the silk is only used for the fabrication of the cocoon or for lining 

 the nest. The snares of the sedentary or web-spinning spiders 

 vary much in structure in the different groups ; sometimes they 

 consist of a few crossing lines only, whilst in other cases, as in 

 the orb-spinners (Avgiopidae), they are of marvellous symmetry 

 and beauty. There are numerous families ; some of the more 

 important of these ai'e commented upon l)elow. 



Fam. — Aiyiupidae (Ej)eirl(hic). 



The spiders of this family are sedentary in hal)it, catching their 

 prey by means of webs. Some of them spin orb-webs, others 



Pig. G2. 

 GasteracautJin foniiosa (slightly enlarged). (After Vinson.) 



construct horizontal sheets of web or irregular networks. The 

 species are very numerous, and present much diversity of form 

 and colouring, many of them being of exceeding beauty. Of the 

 species occurring in this country, the large garden spider (^Arcmea 

 {Epeira) diademata) is familiar to everyone, and a number of 

 smaller forms are also abundant. The species of Nephila are the 

 largest Argiopid spiders. The}^ are confined to the warmer parts 

 of the world. Their immense orbicular webs, covering several feet 

 in area, are composed of silk strong enough to arrest the flight of 

 small birds, which, becoming entangled, are killed and eaten by 

 the spider. Their food consists for the most part, however, of 

 grasshoppers and other insects. The male is ridiculously small as 

 compared with the female. On account of his small size and 

 great activity he is able to make his escape from her if she 



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