May — June, 1832. arachnid^e. 



41 



here as compared to England very much increased ; perhaps 

 more so, than with any other division of the articulate ani- 

 mals. The variety of species among the saltigrade^ or jump- 

 ing spiders, appears almost infinite. The genus, or rather 

 family of Epeira, is here characterized by many singular 

 forms ; some species have pointed coriaceous shells, others 

 enlarged and spiny tibiee. Every path in the forest is 

 barricaded with the strong yellow web of a species, belonging 

 to the same division with the Epeira clavipes of Fabricius, 

 which was formerly said by Sloane to make, in the West 

 Indies, webs so strong as to catch birds. A small and 

 pretty kind of spider, with very long anterior legs, and which 

 appears to belong to an undescribed genus, lives as a para- 

 site on almost every one of these webs. I suppose it is too 

 insignificant to be noticed by the great Epeira, and is there- 

 fore allowed to prey on the minute insects, which adhering 

 to the lines, would otherwise be wasted. When frightened, 

 this little spider either feigns death by extending its front 

 legs, or suddenly drops from the web. A large Epeira of the 

 same division with Epeira tuherculata and conica (with fleshy 

 prominences on its abdomen) is extremely common, espe- 

 cially in dry situations. Its web, which is generally placed 

 among the great leaves of the common agave, is sometimes 

 strengthened near the centre by a pair or even four zigzag 

 ribbons, which connect two adjoining rays. When any 

 large insect, as a grasshopper or wasp, is caught, the spider, 

 by quickly giving it a revolving movement, and at the same 

 time emitting a band of threads from its spinners, soon 

 envelops its prey in a case like the cocoon of a silkworm. 

 The spider now examines the powerless victim, and gives 

 the fatal bite on the hinder part of its thorax ; then retreat- 

 ing, it patiently waits till the poison has taken efi"ect. The 

 virulence of this poison may be judged of, from the fact 

 that in half a minute I opened the mesh, and found a 

 large wasp quite lifeless. This Epeira always stands with its 

 head downwards near the centre of the web. When dis- 

 turbed, it acts differently according to circumstances : if 



