41(5 CLASS ARACHNIDA. 



the epeira diadema, and some others, present, at the part 

 which characterizes their sex, a very singular appendage, 

 which reminds us of the apron of the Hottentot women. 

 These species should form a particular division. Others may 

 probably be established, not less natural, by pursuing this 

 examination. 



We shall confine ourselves to citing some principal species, 

 commencing with the indigenous. 



E. diadema, Aran, diadema, Lin., Fab. Rces. Insect. IV. 

 XXXV. — xl. Large, reddish, and hairy ; abdomen very volu- 

 minous in the females, especially when they are on the point 

 of laying their eggs ; of a deep brown or yellowish red, with a 

 thick and rounded tubercle on each side of the back, near its 

 base, and a triple cross, formed of small spots or white points ; 

 palpi and feet spotted with black. 



Very common in Europe, in autumn. The eggs disclose in 

 the spring of the following year. 



E. scalaris, Aran, scalaris, Fab., Panz.,Faun. IV. xxiv. has 

 the corslet reddish, the npper part of the abdomen usually 

 white, with a black spot in the form of an inverted triangle, 

 oblong, and denticulated. It makes its web on the edge of 

 ponds, streams, &c. 



E. cicatrosa, Aran, cicatricosa, Deg., A. impressa. Fab., 

 whose abdomen is flatted, of a greyish brown or obscure yel- 

 lowish, with a black band, festooned, and bordered with grey 

 along the middle of the back, and eight or ten thick sunken 

 points, situated on two lines. 



It weaves its web against walls or other bodies, and remains 

 concealed in a nest of white silk, which it forms under some 

 projecting part, or in some cavity, near its web. 



It neither works, nor takes any nutriment, except at night, 

 or when the light of day is feeble. It withdraws under the 

 old bark of trees or stakes. 



Epeira sericea, Walck., Hist, des Aran. iii. 11, is covered 



