262 THE NATURALIST IN AUSTRALIA. 
regals of Ludwig Koch. The photograph here reproduced represents the spider 
one-quarter only of its natural size, and it is consequently a tolerably large species. 
It is also a handsome one, being of a warm chestnut brown hue with bright yellow 
bands across the dorsal surface of the body, which gives to it a somewhat wasp-like 
aspect. The example in the illustration having had its ventral surface turned towards 
the camera, this detail is not apparent. The feature most distinctly indicated in this 
picture is the singular supple- 
mental additions to its ordinary 
orb-shaped web; these take the 
form of four zig-zag, thick, ribbon- 
like bands or rays of the web- 
substance disposed obliquely and 
at nearly right angles, and in 
such manner as to form the let- 
ter X. Argiope, in fact, as here 
shown, stole a march on Professor 
Rontgen centuries since in the in- 
vention and practical utilisation 
of mythical X-rays. As may be 
discerned in the accompanying 
photograph, the spider, when at 
rest in the centre of its web, 
has its eight legs disposed in 
four pairs, which are precisely 
parallel with, and are respec- 
tively anchored for support. to, 
each of the four radiating rib- Rey cera 
eae: Dr Henry McCook, a QUEENSLAND “X-RAY” sk eae ce a ON ES ED WER. 
his “American Spiders and their Spinning Work,” includes descriptions of several 
United States species of the genus Argiope, with especially copious details of the 
largest and commonest form, Aryiope cophinaria. This type is also in the habit of 
strengthening its snare with ribbon-like zig-zag cords. The ribbon-webbing in this 
form is, however, limited to a single band descending downwards from the web’s 
centre or “hub,” or there may bé a second one in the same straight line ascending 
vertically above it. The immediate centre of the web is also in this type usually 
