280 

 what like that of Epeira diadimata, but is much broader towards 

 its base. 



The abdomen of the male is oval, and has tho usual broad, 

 longitudinal, central, daik band on its upper side ; this band is 

 sometimos porfoct throughout, with the four yellowish spots in a 

 quadrangle, conspicuous ; an indistinct brownish-yellow band 

 runs through the quadrangle, both longitudinally and trans- 

 versely, and forms a large cross, the arms of which cut off the 

 fore part of tho dontatod band ; but more commonly tho fore 

 part of this band is vory indistinct or scarcely tracoablo, the 

 four spots also being ill-defined, and confluent with a longitu- 

 dinal central band of the same hue. 



This is ono of tho largest, and perhaps tho handsomest of all 

 our indigonous spiders. It is abundant on furze bushes on 

 heaths and commons at Bloxworth and in the neighbourhood, 

 and is also found in other parts of England and in Scotland ; it 

 either sits in tho midst of its large strong orbicular snare, or else 

 it may be found tuckod tip in the form of a round ball under a 

 dome-shaped dwelling placed close at the end of the snare, and 

 formed of silk and bits of the dead material of the bush on which 

 it is constructed. 



The colours of tho females of this species preserve very badly 

 in spirit of wine unless the spider has been kept for a few days 

 in a dry box without food, previous to being chloroformed and 

 placed in tho spirit. 



EPEIEA UMBRATICA. 



Epeira umbratioa, Clerch., Blachw., Spid. Great Brit, and Irol. 

 p. 333, pi. xxiv., fig. 241. 



Tho longth of the female is very nearly, and in some instances 

 slightly exceeds, i an inch in longth, and the male is considerably 

 smaller. 



The broad, flattened form of both the cephalo-thorax and 

 abdomen of this fino spider are very characteristic. Its general 

 hue is a deep bistre-brown, 



