28 Hentz’s Descriptions of the 
longest, then the second and the fourth, the third being the 
shortest. 
Habits. Araneides sedentary, forming a compound web, 
composed of a horizontal one, which is surmounted by 
thréads irregularly crossed ; usually standing in an inverted 
position under the horizontal web. 
Remarks. This subgenus is very readily recognized by 
its singular webs, observable on bushes and weeds, particu- 
larly in the morning when covered with dew. "There is less 
ferocity in the spiders of this division than in any other of the 
family. It is the only subgenus in which the male and female 
-may be seen harmoniously dwelling together. 
1. LINYPHIA COMMUNIS. 
Plate IV. Fig. 4. 
Description. Frmate: Cephalothorax rufous; abdomer. 
purplish black above, with about five spots on each side, 
nearly united in the form of two longitudinal bands; farther 
down are about five smaller white marks; purplish black be- 
neath; feet greenish brown, short. Marre: Rufous all over; 
more slender than the female. 
Observations. This spider, one of the most common in 
the South, is familiar to every observer of nature. Its per- 
fectly regular webs, when the dew is still on the ground, are 
seen in great numbers in the fields and gardens. The owner 
of each web is always found in an inverted position under the 
horizontal web, which is curved or hollowed downward. The 
males are very common in the spring, but disappear in the 
fall. Ihave observed two males on a web, fighting an obsti- 
nate battle; they strove to grasp each other with their cheli- 
ceres, and when exhausted by the conflict, they retired at 
some distance to rest themselves, and presently renewed the 
combat. I know not how the contest terminated, but I be- 
lieve it was without bloodshed. During this, the female, who 
was the lady of the manor, remained very quiet and appa- 
‘rently unconcerned. The ferocious habits of spiders are 
