INSECT ODDITIES. 263 



covered in by a densely woven sheet of webbing. In certain other American species, 

 notably Argiope argyraspis and Uloborus mammeatus, somewhat similar ribbon-like 

 accessory web-bands are added more abundantly, and in concentric lines around the 

 centre of the orbicular snare. 



Reference has been made on a preceding page to the circumstance that a 

 small spider form referable to the genus Argyrodes commonly occurs as a commensal 

 or fellow lodger in the orb webs of both the huge tropical Nephila fuscipes and 

 the Argiope last described. The Nephila is itself deserving of brief notice. It is 

 among, if not altogether, the largest of the Australian snare-weaving Arachnids. 

 The body alone is commonly as much as two inches long, while the spread of the 

 expanded limbs may measure as much as seven or eight. The colours in this form 

 are not so varied as in many of the smaller species. The abdomen is light brown, 

 the cephalothorax and the greater portion of the limbs a dark glossy chestnut brown, 

 almost black ; there are dull orange patches at the joints of the limbs that show 

 most conspicuously underneath, and the palpi are yellow with black tips. A covering 

 of fine golden down-like hairs clothes the upper surface of the thorax. The snare 

 constructed by this fine spider consists of a central circular area which may measure 

 three or more feet in diameter, while the guy- or foundation lines may bridge over 

 interspaces of many yards betwixt the forest trees and undergrowths that it frequents. 

 A rough drawing of a fine example of one of these Nephilte, occupying its normal 

 position at the centre or "hub" of its snare, together with other details bearing 

 upon the life-habits and surroundings of the species, are embodied in the lithograph, Plate 

 XLV. overleaf. It was originally made by the writer of a specimen that was under his 

 notice several consecutive days in the tropical scrub adjacent to Mr. Frank Jardine's 

 homestead at Somerset, Cape York Peninsula, close to the Albany Pass. The large 

 orb-weaving spider here represented is, as in all corresponding examples, the female 

 and the superlatively larger of the sexual individuals. The male is, in fact, a most 

 insignificant epitome of his colossal spouse, and, like the little Argyrodes before mentioned, 

 is a mere privileged hanger on to his mistress's estate. 



In the illustration here reproduced, two of the relatively minute male Nephilte 

 are in attendance, the one who has evidently made a favourable impression being 

 admitted to such terms of intimacy that he is reposing peacefully on his partner's 

 body. A second, would-be, suitor may be seen occupying a position towards the lower, 

 right-hand corner of the web. Courtship among Spiders is a proverbially hazardous 

 undertaking, the female, where she is the larger or even where no disparity of size 



