114 Mr. C. Warburton on the Oviposition 



and I was able to observe tlie process of egg-lajing and 

 cocoon-construction by candle-light in the case of several 

 examples confined in glass-fronted boxes. The mode of 

 procedure was identical in each case, and the times occupied 

 in the several operations closely corresponded, so that an 

 accurate account of a single observation may be considered 

 typical of the species. 



Immediately after its capture the animal had constructed its 

 characteristic sheet- web across the box, with a tubular retreat 

 in one corner. 



The silken threads of the Agelenidse are exceedingly fine, 

 so ihat it is difficult to see the commencement of any opera- 

 tion, the work gradually growing into view as it proceeds ; 

 but its movements indicate that the web-spinning is begun 

 by stretching a number of foundation-lines across the box at 

 the level of the future sheet. The spider then walks to and 

 fro along these lines, strewing thera with numerous simulta- 

 neous threads from its long, upturned, posterior spinnerets. 

 This operation is carried on for a long time before its result 

 becomes at all substantial, and for long after a serviceable 

 web has been formed the creature spends odd moments in 

 going over the ground until its filmy appearance merges into 

 that of an almost opaque white sheet. 



In this work the advantage of the long legs characteristic 

 of the genus is very noticeable. They appear to take the 

 place of the extreme mobility of the abdomen which the 

 Epeirida3 [possess in giving variety of motion to the spinnerets. 



In Agelena the body is almost rigid, but is raised or 

 depressed or moved from side to side by the action of the 

 long legs. Thus, in strewing the fine silk of the posterior 

 spinnerets, its gait is very peculiar. The spider takes a 

 sinuous course, at the same time giving the posterior end of 

 the body a wide lateral sweep, which is increased by the 

 length and mobility of the spinnerets themselves. 



The a])proaching oviposition was indicated several hours 

 beforehand by the animal commencing to weave a hammock- 

 like compartment from the roof of the box and above the 

 sheet-like web. This chamber was about 4 inches long, and 

 was built in precisely the same manner as the sheet, to which 

 it was braced by lines from various points of its under 

 surface. Its cont-truction occupied the whole day previous 

 to the laying v{ the eggs. 



About midnight it was completed, and the spider, taking 

 up its position within it, began to weave a small sheet, 1 inch 

 long, near the roof of the cage, working diligently in an 

 inverted position, ventral surface upwards. After a quarter 



