ARTICULATA. 129 



clay be then lifted with it, the deceived animal, circumvented in this 

 unexj)ected manner, suffers itself to be caj)tured without opposition. 

 Nemesia {pi. Y8, fig. 35). 



Segestria {8. perficla., pi. Y8, fig. 36) forms a tubular web in crevices. It 

 inhabits Euroj^e and North Africa. 



Lycosa (Z. tarentula., pi. I'^.^fiig. 37 ah c ; L. melanogaster., fig. 38) is the 

 genus which contains the poisonous tarantula, the ettects of the l)ite of 

 which were supposed to be cured by music, but denied by competent Italian 

 authority in the last century ; and as far back as 1672, Doctor Cornelio, of 

 Naples, asserted the supposed disease tarentismus to be in some cases 

 feigned, and in others a delusion arising from melancholy. This and some 

 allied species live in winding holes a foot or two deep. The genus Lycosa 

 is common in the United States. 



Argyroneta {A. aquaUca.^ Linn.,^>^. 77, fig. 56, and p)l. 78, fig. 49) is a 

 genus of spiders with unusual aquatic habits. Breathing air, and with the 

 structure of the land spiders, this animal lives in the water, diving beneath 

 the surface, where it lives among aquatic plants in a kind of diving bell of 

 its own construction, and into which it transports air from the surface. 

 The spider, when about to carry a bubble down, bends its body, draws in 

 its legs, arid plunges suddenly, the bubble being retained by some unknown 

 means. This is carried beneath a leaf or flat surface, and a web passed 

 around it, thus forming a nucleus for the structure, which is gradually 

 enlarged as bubbles are added, until it has attained the required size, when 

 it is as large as a small walnut. It must, of course, be closed above, and 

 the entrance must be below. If a fly is thrown into the water, the spider 

 leaves its retreat to get it, and attaching a thread to it, drags it down. The 

 winter is past, and the eggs laid, in this retreat. Soon after the young 

 leave the egg., they ascend to the surface and commence taking down 

 bubbles and constructing habitations of their own. This spider never 

 leaves the water, but will live several days if removed from it. The single 

 species known inhabits Europe from France to Lapland. 



The bite of Latrodectus malmignatus {pi. 78, fig. 44) is said to be very 

 dangerous in Corsica, being compared with that of a viper. This genus 

 was formed from that of Theridion {pi. ^^.^fig. 55). 



The species of Tegenaria {T. domestica^ pi. 78, fig. 46) are found in 

 buildings, where they live in holes, cellars, crevices, and angles of walls, in 

 which they spin a- tube connected with a broad horizontal web externally, 

 supported by numerous lines in various directions. The web is in popular 

 use for checking the bleeding of slight wounds, and individuals of the genus 

 are said to have been sometimes attracted by music. 



The genus Gasteracantha {G. armata., pi. 11., fig. 57 V) is remarkable for 

 having an irregular abdomen armed with spines and tubercles. It is 

 widely distributed, appearing in America, Asia, and Australia. It is allied 

 to Epeira. 



Hersilia caudata {pi. 77, fig. 39) ; Chersis savinii {fig. 40) ; Salticus 

 formicarius {fig. 41) ; Eripus lieterogaster {fig. 42 ah c)\ Arcys lanceo- 

 larius {fig. 43) ; this and the preceding one are from Brazil ; JVyssa timida 



333 



