5 
EPEIRA BECCARII. Thor. 
Syn. : 1878. Epeira heccarit^ Thor,, Studi sui Ra^^ni Malesi e Papuaiii IL, Ragni di 
Amboina, cet , pp. 65 — 297. 
r88i. „ „ id., ibid. III., Ragni delTAustro-Malesi, cet., p, iiq. 
Description of Plate 5 § figure of spider magnified ; ^, natural size ; eyes ; 
epigyne ; 5<?, snare 
This spider I found in considerable numbers on a ciutnp of mangroves growing 
at the side of the Deli road, about two miles from Singapore. Their webs are most 
beautifully can^itructed. The circular snare is placed horizontally with the edges 
somewhat turned up, and the centre raised in a cornicopea like shape, the upper part 
being slightly turned over ; half way up this tube the egg cocoon is placed. 
Below the snare is a netwijrk, larger than the snare, formed of irregular lines 
crossing and recrossing to protect the mouth of the tube, &c., on the underside. The 
snare is eight inches in diameter, and the tube three inches long. The tube was 
braced to the surrounding twigs and leaves to keep it in an upright position. The 
wonderful regularity of the circular snare, and the beautiful curve of the ascending 
tube, together with its perfect adaption as a means of supplying food and protection to 
its constructor and her progeny, made it one of the most interesting objects I have 
ever seen. Hentz describes a somewhat similar web as made by Epetra iubvrintkea ^ 
Hentz. See Hentz's Spiders of the United States, page 111, pi. 13, fig. 3, pi. 19, figs. 
124 and 133. Found in Amboina and Singapore, but not common in Singapore. $ 
unknown. 
