Ce a ee . ee e  s e 
142 AMERICAN SPIDERS AND THEIR SPINNINGWORK. 
represents in her spinningwork three separate tribes of spiders, namely, 
the Orbweavers, to which she herself belongs; the Lineweavers, whose 
spinningwork she imitates in her netted maze of crossed lines; and the 
Tubeweavers, whose snare is represented by the structure just described. 
See also Fig. 123, g. 
The distribution of Epeira triaranea has not been very satisfactorily 
determined; but it probably inhabits all the northern, central, 
and northern-southern portions of our continent between the two 
oceans. It has been located by collection in New England, the 
Middle and Western States, Utah, and Santa Cruz, California. 
Among the spinners of sectoral orbs is Epeira 
thaddeus Hentz. In size is and habit it closely re- 
: sembles Triara nea and weayes a simi- 
Epeira : 
sanded: lar orb. As far as my observations ex- 
tend it affects wooded locations more 
persistently than Triara nea, or at least shuns the 
neighborhood of human habitations. It is inclined 
to screen itself beneath a curled leaf or within a 
leafy tent, and in such sites spins a strong silken 
tubular nest within which it dwells, holding to the 
trapline of its snare. The maze of right lines in the 
midst of which Triaranea hangs her bell shaped 
nest is wanting from the web of Thaddeus. These 
are the chief variations ; AIP in general habit and spin- 
; Nes : 5 ; 
ningwork between the two spiders. ‘Thaddeus is 
widely distrib Ae ae eee a eis uted, its southern loca- 
tions being A] Tviaranea. gl, guy lines sup abama, South Carolina, 
porting tube. 5 . 
as far as to En terprise, Florida; north- 
ward it has been found in New England, Wisconsin; and in the Middle 
States at least to the prairies. It probably has range over the entire At- 
lantic slope and Mississippi Valley. 
Distribu- 
tion. 
Distribu- 
tion. 
Til. 
During the winter of 1882-3 Mrs. Rosa Smith Eigenmann sent me from 
San Diego, in the extreme southern part of California, a few spiders, among 
which were several of a species which proved to be Zilla x-notata. 
sh f In subsequent correspondence I ascertained that the snare of this 
ee aranead was distinguished by a free sector, and several cocoons 
were forwarded, from which I succeeded in raising fine broods of 
younglings. These I located upon plants and various elevated objects within 
a warm room, and as they freely spun their characteristic orbs I soon had 
a number for study, of which an example is figured. Fig. 133 was spun 
underneath the handle of a small basket, and is drawn natural size. The 
