360 THE SPIDERS OF THE TYNE VALLEY. 



spicuous in many places. I have never seen it running 

 about of its own accord. It constructs a cell or nest 

 several inches down among the stones, and this is con- 

 nected with a flimsy tube running upwards and opening 

 under the shelter of a stone or pebble on the surface. 

 This roof stone is generally of small or medium size. 

 The spider may usually be found under the stone, but 

 sometimes retires to its nest. Here I suppose the egg 

 sacs must be deposited, but I have never seen them, and 

 the adult females never seem to have them attached to 

 their spinners. In September the spiders vanish from the 

 tops of their tubes, probably taking refuge in the recesses 

 of their nests. These, however, are very difficult to dig 

 out or define, owing to the slightness of the texture, and 

 the falling in of the pebbles which form their walls. In 

 the winter the shingle beds are completely submerged 

 under several feet of swirling water. In April and May 

 the spiders once more emerge, and may be found under 

 the surface stones. Both sexes are adult in June, but 

 there is a good deal of overlapping, and individuals of 

 all ages may be found throughout the summer. T. cinerea 

 (Fabr.) seems to occur in similar situations wherever it 

 is found. It has been recorded from Aberdeen, Perth, 

 Wicklow, Kerry, Cumberland, and North and South 

 Wales. Abroad its distribution is very wide, as it in- 

 habits Norway, the Canaries, and Turkestan, as well as 

 most of the intermediate countries. 



Tarentula pulverulenta (Clk.). A common and hand- 

 some spider, which may frequently be observed in its 

 adult state in May and June. It is exceedingly swift of 

 foot. Distribution very wide. 



Tarentula andrenivora (Walck.). Not common, but may 

 sometimes be found among heather on the moors. Adults 

 may be found in autumn, and again in spring and early 

 summer. Distribution wide, but not on record for 

 Ireland. 



