146 AMERICAN SPIDERS AND THEIR SPINNINGWORK. 



ABDOMEN : The dorsal markings are difficult to describe, and vary considerably. The 

 dorsum is well arched, rounding from base to distal spinnerets ; covered sparsely with white 

 hairs. Near the base three white patches of circular or irregular shape are grouped together 

 in a form somewhat like clover or shamrock leaves, which doubtless suggested the specific 

 name. These are attached to the yellowish stem which proceeds along the median line 

 forward and backward. In some examples this^trefoil pattern is repeated about the middle 

 of the dorsum, and white or whitish patches of varying sizes are distributed in semicircular 

 lines, with the convex part towards the apex, along the dorsal field. In some specimens 

 the median band is continuous; in others it is broken up into groups of whitish patches 

 resembling clover leaves. Plate II., Fig. 3, and Plate I., Vol. II., represent some of the most 

 decided patterns. Fasciculated markings extend on either side of the median line from 

 about the middle of the dorsum towards the apex, and these are usually brown. The color 

 is yellowish brown at the margin of the sides, somewhat mottled with black interrupted 

 strips. The venter has a broad brownish band, extending from the pedicle to the spin- 

 nerets, sometimes with a marginal border of yellow. The epigynurn (Plate I., Figs. 3, 3a) 

 has a large and well arched porch, and a stout scapus, bent downward and forward, spoon 

 tipped, furrowed, and of about equal width throughout, though slightly narrowed at the tip 

 and widened at the base. The basal parts of the portulse widen at either side, and are 

 curved like a scallop shell. 



MAT-E: The male (Vol. II., Plate I., Fig. 10) is much smaller than the female, specimens 

 in hand being 4.8 mm. long. The cephalothorax is longer than the abdomen in some 

 examples, of yellowish color, and the legs have the same hue, with yellowish brown 

 annuli at the joints. The abdomen is white or whitish, with a slight tendency to be broken 

 up into irregular markings. The palps are a whitish yellow, with dark yellow markings 

 upon the digital joint, which is represented at Plate I., Fig. 36. 



There is an undoubted resemblance between this species and the European Epeira 

 quadrata ; but after having compared the typical Epeira trifolium with an example of 

 E. quadrata, female, sent me from Moscow, Russia, by Professor Waldemar Wagner, I 

 regard them as distinct. Not to speak of other differences, the scapus of the epigynum is 

 quite different. In Quadrata it is wide at the base, where it is slightly notched, and rapidly 

 narrows to a rounded point ; the tip is spooned, and the edges rimmed slightly throughout 

 the entire length. The organ has somewhat the shape of a mason's trowel. On the con- 

 trary, the scapus of Trifolium is not so wide at the base, is not set upon the atriolum like 

 the blade of a trowel upon its handle, but is continuous with the same. Moreover, it pre- 

 serves a nearly equal width throughout the entire length of the scapus, being slightly 

 wider at the base. Dr. Thorell, to whom I sent a specimen of Epeira trifolium, agrees in 

 thinking the two to be distinct species. The spines in Quadrata are dark or blackish, but 

 in Trifolium they are yellow, with brown bases. The midfront eyes of Quadrata also seem 

 to be relatively nearer than in Trifolium. i 



DISTRIBUTION: Throughout the United States, along the Atlantic Coast from Canada 

 through New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia. It has been found 

 in' Alabama, and probably inhabits the central Southern States ; has been collected in 

 Maryland and the District of Columbia, in Wisconsin, Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana, 

 and as far south as New Mexico. I have the male from Utah (Professor O. Howard), 

 the Big Horn Country, Tacoma, Wash. (Mr. M. S. Hill), and San Diego, Cal. (Mrs. Smith). 

 Hentz's original description is from a specimen collected in Maine, and he makes no note 

 of having found it in the Southern States, where most of his studies were pursued. 



Epeira trifolium, variety candicans. Plate I., Fig. 4, 4a. 



I find a number of specimens of this species differing little from the typical form in 

 detailed structure, but which in general appearance are strikingly different, approximating 

 the form of the male. (Plate I., Fig. 4.) In these the abdomen is ovate, considerably 

 narrower than long, instead of the globose form most prevailing. The color is yellowish 



