182 AMERICAN SPIDERS AND THEIR SPINNINGWORK. 
universal preference, for I frequently find the snare spread among the 
green needles of the pine boughs and stretched amidst the green foliage 
of other plants. The nest site is generally low down. I have rarely 
noted it more than three or four feet above the surface of the earth. 
As the lower branches of pine trees are always dry, it would follow as 
a necessity, without any special preference on the part of the spider, that 
her habit of swinging her net low down would compel her in such 
positions to spin between dry limbs. 
The spider is probably distributed over a wide geographical area. I have 
traced it from New England on the northeast, from Maine to Massachu- 
bk setts, through New York, New Jersey, as far south as the District 
oe of Columbia and Alabama. I have also taken it in Ohio, and 
as far to the southwest as Texas. It thus shows a considerable 
range of climatic extremes. It will probably be found wherever forests 
of fir and pine flourish. 
Hyptiotes is very small, being little over an eighth of an inch in body 
length, with rather short, stout legs. It is a dull grayish brown color, 
with occasional brighter tints of red intermixed. It thus strongly resem- 
: bles the color of the branches 
to which its snare is oftenest 
hung. This identity of color 
makes it difficult sometimes 
to find the animal; but I can 
hardly think that it presents 
a case of protective mimicry, 
as does Mrs. Treat, who also concludes that Hyptiotes recognizes color, 
and that its habitual resting place is a matter of intelligent choice.1 On 
the contrary, as I have just stated, it is supposable that the 
General position is simply a matter of convenience, as it gives the best 
pee: attachment for the trapline of its peculiar web; and, moreover, 
since the spider domiciles in all sorts and parts of shrubs, living 
and dead, it is certainly reasonable to think that a bright green would 
have been as great a protection to it as the dull brown and gray which 
prevails. 
The appearance which the snare presents to the observer is that of a 
circular sector, attached at the open or outer end to surrounding objects, 
and at the apex to a straight line of varying length, similarly 
Construc- anchored. The number of radii is always four, never more nor 
oe less, and in this number, of course, is included the two outside 
rays. The two central radii are crossed by lines which may be 
regarded as the equivalent of the spiral lines which intersect the radii in 
ordinary orbwebs. The manner in which these several parts of the snare 
are constructed will now be pointed out. 
=F = 1“My Garden Pets.” 
Fig. 170. Zilla plus Hyptiotes equals Epeira. 
