55 



which are short. The palpi and palpal organs are of complex 

 structure ; the radial joint is short and strong, but has several 

 projections at its fore extremity; one of these, towards the inner 

 side in front, is rather long, tapering, slender, curved, and 

 terminates in a rather fine, dark, spine-like point. 



This is one of our commonest house-spiders, being also 

 abundant under old boards and stones, as well as in holes in gate 

 posts and timber, generally ; it is likewise found in crevices of all 

 kinds, especially in the cracks and joints of brick walls when the 

 mortar has come out. Bound tho entrance to the tubular snare 

 formed in such situations, the spider spins various rather irregu- 

 lar lines, some of which often present a somewhat radiating 

 appearance, and are dressed with some floeculent adhesive 

 silk ; flies and other insects, becoming entangled in the outer 

 lines, are immediately rushed out upon, seized, and drawn 

 into the nest by the spider who lies in wait not far from its 

 entrance It is easy to bring the spider to the mouth of its 

 dwelling by gently disturbing the snare with a grass mote. 

 This is, at the moment, mistaken by the spider, for the entangle- 

 ment of a fly ; the ruse is, however, quickly discovered, and 

 the spider retreats at once. Better still it is to drop a fly into 

 the wob, when the occupant, if at home, will not fail to make a 

 speedy prize of it. After a little time the spider may be tamed, 

 so far as to take a fly from the fingers, but at first it is necessary 

 to keep out of sight, and to be very wary in respect to the amount 

 of disturbance caused. It is tho female only that is found in these 

 situations; the male (when adult) lurks in similar places (though 

 not in a web) by day, and by night roams about, and may be 

 often found, after sunset, crawling on the walls of old dark rooms 

 and passages during the autumn, winter, and early spring 

 months. 



Although abundant in England, especially in the southern 

 counties, this spider does not yet appear to have been observed 

 on the Continent:; and several attempts to acclimatize it in 

 Germany have hitherto failed of success. 



