THE GENESIS OF SNARES. 351 
In considering the relations which the snares of Orbweayers bear to 
those of other tribes, one cannot overlook the important characteristic 
which has been considered under the chapter relating to the 
viscid armature. That is to say, the characteristic snare of the 
Orbitelariz consists of a series of straight lines covered with 
viscid beads, and disposed in the form of spiral concentrics, or spiral 
loops upon radiating lines lacking this viscid quality. 
Is there any trace of this remarkable characteristic in the spinningwork 
of the other tribes? We have seen that the webs of Uloborus and Hypti- 
otes are destitute of this peculiar armature, substituting therefor the floccu- 
lent thread which has been heretofore described. We have also noted that 
in this particular the spinningwork of the Orbweavers finds its homologue 
in the snares of certain Tubeweavers, as, for example, Dictyna and Amau- 
robius. Concerning Dictyna, it may be stated that so careful 
and distinguished an observer as Bertkau, for example, offers the 
opinion that this genus is provided with certain glands which secrete vis- 
cid material that must be intermingled with the flocculent spinningwork 
which forms the cross lines of the typical snare. Undoubtedly the amount 
of viscid material must be very small; nevertheless, it is an interesting fact 
that the organs for producing it should be found among the Tubeweaving 
genera armed with the calamistrum. That the same organs exist in Ulo- 
borus and Hyptiotes, the Orbweaving genera provided with calamistrum 
and cribellum, I take for granted. 
As to the snare of Amaurobius, I think that no one who has ever ex- 
amined it will hesitate to say that it is provided by the spider which spins 
it with a considerable amount of viscid material. The way in 
Sticky which it sticks to one’s fingers, and the entire characteristics of 
oo the thread when examined carefully, go to establish this’ point. 
robius. 1 have not examined the genus by dissection, and cannot, there- 
fore, speak from anatomical observation, but have no doubt at 
all that Amaurobius will be found possessed, in a yet more decided degree 
than the genera just noticed, with organs for the secretion of viscid ma- 
terial. 
One other fact remains to be noted, and I confess that I speak of it 
with considerable hesitation. On one occasion, while studying the snare of 
a species of Theridium which I took to be T. differens, I was 
Are surprised to find it distinctly marked with viscid globules. (Fig. 
Therid- 345.) They were of an irregular character, but were manifestly 
ue a similar to those which form upon the snares of Orbweavers, 
reads oie ‘ ; : tape 
Viscia? Thinking that I might have been deceived by a little twist in 
the line forming natural nodules, I examined carefully and often, 
with the same conclusion, that the lines were beaded as with the webs of 
Orbweavers. I have never met with a similar case, and scarcely know 
what to think of this. Could it have been an abnormal act on the part 
Viscid 
Lines. 
Dictyna. 
