INSECTS AND THEIR NEAR RELATIVES. 



33 



This band of tangled or curled threads is easily seen in 

 the webs of these spiders, being wider than , 



the ordinary threads and white in color. In 

 old webs it becomes conspicuous by the large 

 amount of dust which it collects. Figure 35 

 shows the appearance of this band when 

 magnified, and the way in which it is attached 

 to the plain threads. 



Our more common Dictynids make webs of various 

 shapes, on fences, under stones, in holes in rotten logs, and 



"m 



Fig. 35.— Curled 

 thread of a 

 Dictynid, en- 



Fio. 36.— Web of a Dictynid, on a dead branch of Ceanothus, somewhat enlarged. 



on plants. These webs are especially common among the 

 flowers of Golden-rod and other plants having clusters of 



