192 



INTRODUCTION TO ZOOLOGY 



cases a horizontal sheet of threads is formed, with a loose net- 

 work of threads in the bushes above it ; insects get caught in 

 the network and fall into the web, beneath which the spider is 

 usually hanging, waiting for them. Such simple snares are to 

 be seen at times spread out on gorse bushes or on low 

 hedges. One very minute "Line-weaver" (Theridion pattens) 



:.-nat size 



FIG. 1 22. Theridion pallens. 

 Egg-cocoons. 



FIG. 123. Theridion pallens. 

 A, Female ; B, male. 



constructs a curious little white egg-cocoon, often to be found 

 on the under side of the leaves of various plants (Fig. 122). 

 The cocoon is larger than the spider itself. The young 

 spiders that hatch out often eat one another ; only a small 

 percentage is said to survive. The male and female Theridion 

 pallens are shown in Fig. 123. The female spider is only 

 about y 1 ^ inch long. 



The Cobweb- ^ ne group of the " Cobweb-weavers " (Aye- 

 weavers lenidae) includes the Common House Spider 

 ( Agelenidae). ( Tegenaria domestica) (Fig. 124), and also the spider, 

 Agelena labyrintliica, which makes horizontal concave sheet- 

 webs amongst the 

 grass or in hedges, 

 with a silken tunnel 

 running down from 

 one corner, at the 

 bottom of which the 

 spider waits. These 

 webs, like the cob- 

 web of the house 

 spider, are made of 

 very fine threads 

 and are not sticky at all. Belonging to the same family as 

 these cobweb -weavers, though living under very different 

 conditions, is the water spider which is described below. 



FIG. 124. Tegenaria domestica (life-size). 



