252 THE WOODLANDS. 



long period after quitting the cocoons, and are pro- 

 vided by her with food, which consists chiefly of 

 ants." 



This little spider called Theridion riparium is not. 

 more than one-seventh of an inch in length, and is. 

 found about banks in woods, its domicile being formed 

 in August. Two other allied but more common 

 species are found in the same localities. One of these 

 incloses its cocoon in a tissue of white silk on the. 

 under surface of leaves of trees and shrubs; 1 the 

 margins of the leaves are drawn in around the nidus, 

 and held in that position by silken lines. The other 

 constructs a cocoon of dull green silk amongst foliage, 

 and placed beneath a dome-shaped canopy of silk,, 

 around which withered leaves are accumulated. In 

 both these instances the young continue to live with 

 their mother until they are old enough to take care of 

 themselves. The web, or snare, of the species in 

 this genus consists of crossed lines, which intersect 

 each other at various angles, and without any apparent 

 regular plan. 



Returning again to the Diadem Spider, 2 with which 

 we started, we have a great contrast to the Theridion 

 last named in the regular geometrical webs which all 

 the species of Epeira construct. Radiating lines are 

 united by a spiral thread, thickly studded with minute 

 globules of liquid gum ; but the central convolutions 

 are devoid of globules, so that its owner may resfc 

 there and watch for prey without being incommoded 

 by its own snare. . It has been stated that all these 



1 Theridion linealum. a Theridion neruosum* 



