ON ARACHNIDA. 471 



in a globular silky cocoon, the volume of which occupies 

 one-fourth of the internal capacity of the cell. The female 

 remains constantly by them, having the abdomen in the in- 

 terior of the habitation, and the trunk in the water. Clerk 

 has seen many little ones swimming in the month of July, 

 which leads to the supposition that the eggs are all laid in the 

 course of the preceding month. It takes place a little sooner 

 in France. 



Some species of Thertdion remain under stones; othei's 

 inhabit the parts of houses which are little frequented or 

 seldom visited, and make their webs either at the angles of 

 walls, or in closets, and amongst furniture. But most part of 

 the others choose as a domicile, trees or flowers. Such is 

 particularly the species which M. Walckenaer has named 

 henignum, and whose manners he has studied with so much 

 attention. He has given us in the fifth fasciculus of his 

 History of the Animals of this family, some extremely curious 

 and complete observations respecting the coupling of this 

 species, of which the following is an abridgment. 



This species is frequently seen, especially in autumn, in 

 gardens, and kitchen gardens. Its irregular web, notwith- 

 standing its extreme tenuity, often protects grapes from the 

 bite of insects. It is seldom that this fruit is used without 

 finding the animal there. It is also fond of spreading its 

 threads over the surface of the leaves, between the flowers, 

 and at the extremity of different vegetables. The female 

 deposits her eggs three times a-year ; her cocoon is lenticular, 

 flatted, of a close tissue, and a very brilliant white. 



The business of reproduction so completely absorbs both 

 sexes, that when the coupling is commenced, the leaf on 

 which they are may be detached, and the union observed with 

 a microscope, without in the least disturbing them. 



The coupling most usually takes place on the shrubs of 

 our gardens, such as lilacs, rose-bushes, &c., towards the 



