214 HOUSE, GARDEN, AND FIELD 



Several distinct kinds of spiders enter houses for shelter 

 and food. Two of these are regular inmates and might be 

 called the housemaid's spiders. The larger of the two 

 (Tegenaria domestica) l may be over half an inch long, 

 not counting the legs. Along the mid-line of its abdomen 

 runs a brown stripe, and on either side of this is a row 

 of pale dots on a dark ground. The second species 

 (T. civilis) is a little smaller. Along the middle line of 

 the abdomen is a row of black spots, and outside these 

 the skin is speckled with black. Both of these spiders 

 spin similar webs, and their habits are in all respects 

 much alike. A third species (T. atrica) is distinguished 

 by its much darker colour. Species of the spiders named 

 Ciniflo, though regularly inhabiting crevices among rocks 

 and other out- door retreats, are often met with in houses. 

 They are nearly as big as the Tegenarias, but the upper 

 surface of the abdomen is ornamented with a more intricate 

 symmetrical pattern of light and dark brown, and the 

 legs are usually mottled. Less commonly found than 

 any of the above species are the small spiders named 

 Liniphyia, which sometimes enter houses and make delicate 

 webs, to the under side of which they cling. 



The web of a house spider is secured by many threads, 

 passing in different directions to fixed points, so that it 

 can resist a pull from any quarter. The free border is 

 strengthened by a thread of extra strength. The web 

 itself is composed of multitudes of threads crossing in 

 different directions without much arrangement. Well-fed 

 house spiders continually add fresh threads to the original 

 web, until it becomes firm and close, almost like tissue 

 paper. Though artless in comparison with the geometrical 

 snare of the garden spider, the web of the house spider 

 is well adapted to secure a fly or other winged insect, 

 buzzing about in a dark corner and unsuspicious of an 

 enemy. 



1 So commonly named in English books. The true T. domestica does 

 not occur in Britain. Our commonest Tegenaria is T. Guyonii, Guer, 



