146 AMERICAN SPIDERS AND THEIR SPINNINGWORK. 
Anpomen: The dorsal markings are difficult to describe, and vary considerably. The 
dorsum is well arched, rounding from base to distal spinnerets; covered sparsely with white 
hairs. Near the base three white patches of circular or irregular shape are grouped together 
in a form somewhat like clover or shamrock leaves, which doubtless suggested the specific 
name. These are attached to the yellowish stem which proceeds along the median line 
forward and backward. In some examples this trefoil pattern is repeated about the middle 
of the dorsum, and white or whitish patches of varying sizes are distributed in semicircular 
lines, with the convex part towards the apex, along the dorsal field. In some specimens 
the median band is continuous; in others it is broken up into groups of whitish patches 
resembling clover leaves. Plate IL., Fig. 8, and Plate I., Vol. II., represent some of the most 
decided patterns. Fasciculated markings extend on either side of the median line from 
about the middle of the dorsum towards the apex, and these are usually brown. The color 
is yellowish brown at the margin of the sides, somewhat mottled with black interrupted 
stripes. The yenter has a broad brownish band, extending from the pedicle to the spin- 
nerets, sometimes with a marginal border of yellow. The epigynum (Plate I., Figs. 3, 3a) 
has a large and well arched porch, and a stout scapus, bent downward and forward, spoon 
tipped, furrowed, and of about equal width throughout, though slightly narrowed at the tip 
and widened at the base. The basal parts of the portule widen at either side, and are 
curved like a scallop shell. 
Mate: The male (Vol. II., Plate I., Fig. 10) is much smaller than the female, specimens 
in hand being 4.8 mm. long. The cephalothorax is longer than the abdomen in some 
examples, of yellowish color, and the legs have the same hue, with yellowish brown 
annuli at the joints. The abdomen is white or whitish, with a slight tendency to be broken 
up into irregular markings. The palps are a whitish yellow, with dark yellow markings 
upon the digital joint, which is represented at Plate I., Fig. 36. 
There is an undoubted resemblance between this species and the European Epeira 
quadrata; but after having compared the typical Epeira trifolium with an example of 
E. quadrata, female, sent me from Moscow, Russia, by Professor Waldemar Wagner, I 
regard them as distinct. Not to speak of other differences, the scapus of the epigynum is 
quite different. In Quadrata it is wide at the base, where it is slightly notched, and rapidly 
narrows to a rounded point; the tip is spooned, and the edges rimmed slightly throughout 
the entire length. The organ has somewhat the shape of a mason’s trowel. On the con- 
trary, the scapus of Trifolium is not so wide at the base, is not set upon the atriolum like 
the blade of a trowel upon its handle, but is continuous with the same. Moreover, it pre- 
seryes a nearly equal width throughout the entire length of the scapus, being slightly 
wider at the base. Dr. Thorell, to whom I sent a specimen of Epeira trifolium, agrees in 
thinking the two to be distinct species. The spines in Quadrata are dark or blackish, but 
in Trifolium they are yellow, with brown bases. The midfront eyes of Quadrata also seem 
to be relatively nearer than in Trifolium. 
Disrrisution: Throughout the United States, along the Atlantic Coast from Canada 
through New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia. It has been found 
in Alabama, and probably inhabits the central Southern States; has been collected in 
Maryland and the District of Columbia, in Wisconsin, Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana, 
and as far south as New Mexico. I have the male from Utah (Professor O. Howard), 
the Big Horn Country, Tacoma, Wash. (Mr. M. §. Hill), and San Diego, Cal. (Mrs. Smith). 
Hentz’s original description is from a specimen collected in Maine, and he makes no note 
of haying found it in the Southern States, where most of his studies were pursued. 
Epeira trifolium, variety candicans. Plate I., Fig. 4, 4a. 
I find a number of specimens of this species differing little from the typical form in 
detailed structure, but which in general appearance are strikingly different, approximating 
the form of the male. (Plate I., Fig. 4.) In these the abdomen is ovate, considerably 
narrower than long, instead of the globose form most prevailing. The color is yellowish 
