WEAVERS OF ROUND WEBS. 



117 



trivittata were found with a like peculiarity in Connecticut. Yet, I cannot 

 regard it as other than incidental. 



One might indulge the conjecture that this accidental feature of a 

 snare of Epeira offers a clue to the reason for the permanent features of 

 a like character upon the webs of Argiope, Acrosoma, and Uloborus. The 

 difference or differences which have caused the characteristics to become 1 

 fixed in the last named genera are at present unknown. I venture only 

 to suggest that my observation shows that these genera quite habitually 

 remain upon their orbs ^^^^^^^^^^^^m continually, whereas the 

 Domicile spider and her ^*^^^LT'^ ^j^fL-- 1 congeners usually retire 

 from their orbs in day ^Jlli&>.. // t^- ; -T. time, and have nests or 

 dens to which they can tjjjjjlj^^' '-^ v-vl^-1 resort in foul weather or 

 in case of attack. I have i v ^^W^^\^^'l^^- frequently found Domi- 

 cile in a leafy tent, but ^^^g^K?kl|^^^o oftener without one; her 

 habit in this respect ^^p^^^3^v-'?: v ; seems to connect Sclope- 

 taria whom I have never S^t^^* 5 '; ?",'>": seen in such an abode, 



Fin. 106. Nest and snare of Epeira insularis. 



and Insularis who is alwavs so found. On one occasion while driving 



D 



along a New Jersey road, I observed an orbweb spun upon the tall grass 

 beneath a young tree. The foundation lines and supports reached upwards 

 to the lowest branch, about twelve feet above the surface. Having climbed 

 out upon the branch I observed a spider nested within a curled leaf and 

 holding to a trapline that extended entirely to the orb beneath, the longest 

 trapline I remember ever to have seen. The nest was collected and the 

 . occupant proved to be Domiciliorum. Closely related to the Dom- 



trivitteta * c ^ e Spider is Epeira trivittata. The two are very similar in gen- 

 eral appearance and markings, the latter, however, being some- 

 what smaller. Their webs and general habits are the same. 



