Araneides of the United States. 21 
Tribe V. SPINOS/E. Abdomen elongated with spines ; 
feet, fourth pair longest. 
38. EPEIRA SPINEA. 
Plate III. Fig. 9. 
Description. Rufous ; cephalothorax with a yellowish 
margin; abdomen with six spines; disc yellow, with black 
impresse | dots; feet 4. 1. 2. 3. 
Observations. This very singular spider usually makes 
its web in low bushes, and sometimes places them horizontally. 
It drops from its web, hanging by a thread, when threatened. 
Its nipples are borne on a projection, which is an impediment 
to walking on an even surface. The respective length of the 
feet depart from the character of Erxrna. 
Habitat. The Atlantic States, but rarely seen in the west. 
39 EPEIRA RUGOSA. 
Plate III. Fig. 10. 10a, 100. 
^ Description. Black ; abdomen with ten spines on its edge 
above, and a large tubercle beneath; disc above with white 
spots, or white with many black dots and impressed punc- 
tures; sides rugose ; feet 4. 1. 9. 3. Male very small, rufous ; 
. abdomen whitish, with a few blackish macule, long and slen- 
der without any spine. 
Observations. This spider, closely related to E. spinea 
in many respects, makes also a web which is usually inclined, 
sometimes nearly perpendicular. Like that species, when 
thrown to the ground it moves with great difficulty, on account 
of the projection of the abdomen downwards. The depart- 
. ure from the characters of Errira, in the respective length of 
the legs, shows how wisely nature makes adaptation for each 
species. Were the fourth pair of legs shorter, the difficulty 
of motion would be still greater. In this respect particularly, 
it is related to Epzira mitrata. A male was found attache 
toa female in July, like a pygmy upon a mountain, or rather 
under a mountain. He was.so small that I thought at first it 
