302 ARTICULATA. ARACHNIDA. 



Italy, and some in the West Indies, which have simi- 

 lar habits. 



Epeira,* the Garden Spider. 



This genus may serve as the representative of that 

 large section which spin net-like webs of great regu- 

 larity and beauty, sitting in them either exposed or 

 concealed, to wait for the entanglement of prey. 

 Every one is, of course, familiar with our great Gar- 

 den Spider (E. Diadema) whose yellow abdomen is 

 handsomely marked with black bands, and a series of 

 white dots. Having formed the foundation of her 

 net, and drawn the skeleton of it, by spinning a 

 number of rays converging to the centre, she next 

 proceeds, setting out from that point, to spin a spiral 

 line of unadhesive thread, like that of the rays, which 

 it intersects, and to which she attaches it, and after 

 numerous circumvolutions, finishes it at the circum- 

 ference. This line, together with the rays, serves as 

 a scaffolding for her to walk over, and it also keeps 

 the rays properly stretched. Her next labour is to 

 spin a spiral line from the circumference towards the 

 centre, but which stops somewhat short of it ; this 

 line is the most important part of the snare. It con- 

 sists of a fine thread, studded with minute, viscid 

 globules, like dew, which, by their adhesive quality, 

 retain the Insects that fly into the net.f The skil- 

 ful constructer then stations herself in the very centre, 



* 'Eire, epi, upon, and ii(>os, eiros, spun wool, 

 t Mr. Blackwall in Zool. Journ. vol. v. p. 181. 



