46 RIO DE JANEIRO. 



species among the jumping spiders appears almost 

 infinite. The genus, or rather family of Epeira, is 

 here characterized by many singular forms ; some 

 species have pointed coriaceous shells, others en- 

 larged and spiny tibise. Every jiath in the forest 

 is barricaded with the strong yellow web of a 

 species, belonging to the same division with the 

 Epeira clavipes of Fabricius, which was formerly 

 said by Sloane to make, in the West Indies, webs 

 so strong as to catch birds. A small and pretty 

 kind of spider, with very long fore-legs, and which 

 appears to belong to an undescribed genus, lives as 

 a parasite on almost every one of these webs. I 

 suppose it is too insignificant to be noticed by the 

 great Epeira, and is therefore allowed to prey on 

 the minute insects, which, adhenng to the lines, 

 would otherwise be wasted. When frightened, 

 this little spider either feigns death by extending 

 its front legs, or suddenly drops from the web. A 

 large Epeira of the same division with Epeira tu- 

 berculata and conica is extremely cominon, espe- 

 cially in dry situations. Its web, which is generally 

 placed among the great leaves of the common 

 agave, is sometimes strengthened near the centre 

 by a pair or even four zigzag ribands, which con- 

 nect two adjoining rays. When any large insect, 

 as a grasshopper or wasp, is caught, the spider, by 

 a dexterous movement, makes it revolve very rap- 

 idly, and at the same time emitting a band of 

 threads from its spinners, soon envelojDS its prey 

 in a case like the cocoon of a silkworm. The spi- 

 der now examines the powerless victim, and gives 

 the fatal bite on the hinder part of its thorax ; 

 then retreating, patiently waits till the poison 

 has taken effect. The virulence of this poison 

 may be judged of from the fact that in half a min- 

 ute I opened the mesh, and found a large wasp 



