SPIDERS 177 



the other two pairs. All the species have some peculiarity about the cephalo- 

 thorax, and all are exceedingly small. 



Genus iv. Pachygnatha. Eyes o o tne outside pairs nearly touching. 



Family x. Epeiridce. Genus i. Epeira. Position of eyes, 



forming three groups, the centre four forming almost a square. These are the 

 most familiar of all the spiders, forming the beautiful geometric webs, already 

 described under the Garden Spider. E, quadrata has four principal marks, con- 

 sisting of four large oval white spots on the abdomen, as well as other white marks. 

 It makes a dome-shaped cell close to its web. E. umbratica is an ugly creature 

 of dingy blackish brown, and makes a peculiar web of very large size, with 

 no spiral lines, but curious forked meshes of very irregular dimensions. E. 

 diadema is recognized by the cream-coloured cross on its back, made of two 

 chains of spots. This is the species known best as "the Garden Spider." 

 The cocoon is made in October, and the young spiders on emerging the next 

 spring are often seen clustered together in a tiny ball, dispersing in all direc- 

 tions when disturbed, only to collect together again when peace returns. 

 E. angulata is recognized by the two humps or projections on each side of 

 the abdomen. E. callophylla has a web which is at once recognized by the 

 frequent peculiarity that one section is altogether missing, and the space is 

 intersected by one thread, generally connecting the web with the hiding- 

 place. 



Genus ii. Tetragnatha. Eyes * % o on black spots. This species has 

 very large, distending jaws. T. extensa has very long front-legs and a long, 

 narrow abdomen, quite unmistakable. 



Tribe II. SENOCULINA. 



Family i. Dysderidce. Genus i. Dysdera. Eyes six, Q Q or *o o , in a 



oc? 



full or partly open circle. These hunt their prey, lurking in crevices and 

 crannies in walls ; they are nocturnal in habit. D. erythrina is often found 

 in an anthill, where it preys upon the ants. 



Genus ii. Segestria. Position of eyes g0&'. 



Genus iii. Schcenobates. Position of eyes <oo 



Genus iv. Oonops. Position of eyes 



Family ii. Scytodida. Genus i. Scytodes. Position of eyes 



oo 



It is hoped that this very brief description of a few of the British spiders 

 will at least help the young Nature student to place those he finds in their 

 right family and genus. For further details, he should refer either to Black- 

 wall's great work, or to the most useful book, British Spiders, by E. F. Staveley, 

 to which I desire to acknowledge my own indebtedness. 



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