i i i wel eal — aint. Nl el 
ee —T- —Tee Se er Se eee 
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: . iy , 
BIOLOGICAL MISCELLANY. 65 
Mr. Workman says that the wonderful regularity of the circular snare 
and the beautiful curve*of the ascending tube, together with its perfect 
adaptation to the means of supplying food and protection to its constructor 
and her progeny, make, it a most interesting object. He 
justly compares the web to that of the Labyrinth spider 2 Fh 
of Hentz, and the resemblance certainly is striking. But 
the web of Epeira labyrinthea is always placed in a ver- 
tical position. The retitelarian labyrinth is therefore 
behind and at the side of the orb, instead of before it, 
The thickly lined gangway between the tent and the centre 
of the orb of Labyrinthea I have never seen developed . 
into a complete tube, such as Mr, Workman describes, es 4 
but it is often much thickened next the hub, and is apt Fi. 47. sitting posi- 
to assume a somewhat tubular form. At the tenting end, ace be a9" 
however, the spider frequently occupies a bell shaped silken 
domicile. The reader in this connection is referred to Vol. I., Chapter XIX., 
in which the tubiform web is referred to as being the rudimentary one 
which appears more or less distinctly, and with greater or less development, 
in the spinningwork of all the principal groups of spiders. Let the 
reader compare Mr. Workman’s drawing of Epeira beccarii with my figures 
of Agalena nevia (Vol. I., page 345, Fig. 336), or with examples of the 
spider’s funnel shaped snare upon the hedges, lawns, 
and fields of America. He will then observe that 
by reversing Workman’s figure he has before him 
substantially the outlines of Agalena’s funnel shaped 
snare. We thus have represented in the spinningwork 
of this one species the typical webs of the three great 
sectional groups: Orbweavers, Lineweavers, and Tube- 
weavers. 
ny 
ILE 
Orbweavers are sometimes seen as represented at 
Figs. 47 and 48, in an attitude which might prop- 
as « erly be called sitting within their hub. 
Sitting nthe up er part of the central meshes i 
Fig. 48. Epeira sitting upon the Hub. PP i : : ; nese 
Achrolen Hub, usually removed, and the abdomen is thrust 
through the opening, and is supported by the remain- 
ing meshwork against which the venter rests. The hind legs are extended 
upward, and hang upon the margin of the opening, while the fore feet 
are more closely approximated and clasp the margin at its lower part. 
The radial lines are centred upon these fore feet, thus giving the spider 
full command of her nest. The moment an insect strikes the orb the 
spider draws up her abdomen, and with inconceivable rapidity spreads out 
her legs, straightens out her body, and faces towards the direction from 
whieh the agitation of the web had been signaled. 
