02 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROVAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND. 



In a series of seven in the same buncii in the Queensland 

 Museum, much variation is to be noted. As may be seen from 

 the illustrations, the cocoons are more or less elongate-fusiform. 

 Saville Kent illustrated a similar cocoon (unnamed) in Chromo 

 Plate IX. •' The Naturalist in AustraUa," 1897. 



The cocoons made by the specimen in my garden showed 

 variations ranging from 3 to 4 in. in length, the maximum 

 diameter being about an inch. In a cocoon 4 in. long, the 

 peduncle occupied about one quarter of the total length, and 

 the tail or terminal portion also about one quarter, this being 

 the most variable part. 



The inner cocoon hangs centrally in the upper half of the 

 outer envelope, being elegantly pear-shaped, with the globular 

 end downwards. Between the two envelopes when the cocoon 

 is opened will be found a loose packing of deUcate silk, which 

 doubtless forms a valuable elastic medium, protecting the 

 inner cocoon with its precious freight of eggs. The texture 

 of the inner cocoon is similar to fine rice-paper, and it is much 

 wliiter in colour than the other. Within there is a quantity of 

 fine, loose silk surrounding the eggs. The contents of an 

 injured cocoon were counted, over 600 eggs being present. 

 Taking five cocoons as the average, each spider laj^s in a season 

 about 3,000 eggs. 



Our spider made its home in a rose-bush. By binding a 

 number of leaves together it formed a large retreat or nest, 

 which it completely lined inside with, silk webbing. During 

 the daytime it was invariably to be discovered in this retreat 

 with its head turned away from the opening. An angle between 

 two branches formed an appropriate setting for the series of 

 cocoons to be spun. The shelter of the foliage was increased 

 by a small leafy branch, placed in position by my wiie, which 

 the si^ider promptly made use of the next night and secured 

 by silken strands. A fallen rose-petal was also worked by the 

 spinner into its bower. 



Two cocoons were spun in the earlier months of the year, 

 Tjut no notes were then taken. Subsequently our interest was 

 so aroused that each night, so far as possible, the spider was 

 Avatched, for we were determined to seethe wondrous spinner at 

 work. With the third cocoon we were unlucky, for it was spun 

 during our absence on the night of 31st March, shortly after the 

 full moon. 



