IN JA VA, 



65 



lated, thick, and prominent abtlomened biMlies, is of a general 

 white colour ; the underside, which is the one exposed^ is pure 

 chalk white, while the lower portions of its first and second 

 j>air of legs and a spot on the head and on the abdomen are jet 

 black. 



This species does not weave a web of the ordinary kind, but 

 constructs on tlie surface of some prominent dark green leaf 

 only an irregularly shaped film of the finest texture, drawn out 

 towards the sloping margin of the leaf into a narrow streak, 

 with a slightly thickened termination. The spider then takes 

 its place on its back on the irregular patch 1 have described, 

 holding itself in position by means of several strong spines on 

 the upper sides of the thighs of its anterior pairs of legs thrust 

 under the film, and crosses its legs over its thorax. Thus rest- 

 ing with its white abdomen and black legs as the central and 

 dark portions of the excreta, surrounded by its thin web-film 

 representing the marginal watery portion become dry, even to 

 some of it trickling off and arrested in a tlitckened extremity 

 such as an evaporated drop would leave, it waits with con- 

 fidence for its prey— a living bait so artfully contrivetl as 

 to deceive a pair of human eyes even intently examining it. 



F 



