162 
POPULAR SCIENCE REVIEW. 
ones are united at their base, and the spinnerets connected with 
the short terminal joint of each inferior spinner are usually 
eleven in number in adults ; two, very much smaller than the 
rest and nearly contiguous, being situated on the inferior sur- 
face, at a greater distance from the extremity than the others. 
The nine spinnerets of larger dimensions are probably used by 
the spider chiefly in the construction of its cocoon, the com- 
pact texture of which is best explained on the supposition that 
a copious supply of a viscid secretion, in a state of fluidity, is 
employed in its fabrication. 
■* Family Giniflonidce. 
The spiders of this family, known to inhabit our dwellings, 
are Giniflo fer ox, Giniflo similis , and Giniflo atrox, and so close 
is the resemblance they bear to each other in form, colour, and 
economy, that arachnologists have experienced some difficulty 
in ascertaining the specific characters by which they are dis- 
tinguished. Their favourite places of resort are the corners of 
windows, the angles formed by the intersection of walls, 
fissures in plaster, and other retired situations in which they 
can conceal themselves, a preference being given to cellars and 
rooms that are little frequented. 
As the organization and habits of these spiders are very 
similar, it will suffice to direct attention to that species which 
is most familiarly known, namely, Giniflo atrox. On the objects 
surrounding its retreat it extends to a considerable distance, 
but without any apparent regularity or design, a number of 
fine glossy lines, intersecting one another at various angles, to 
which it attaches fasciculi of filaments of a complex structure. 
These compound filaments, or flocculi, are arranged on the 
first spun glossy lines both in longitudinal and transverse 
directions, and, when recently produced, are capable of retain- 
ing effectually such insects as come in contact with them. A 
communication between the snare of this spider and its retreat 
is established by means of a funnel-shaped tube of a slight 
texture ; and not unfrequently two tubes occur in the same web, 
by one or other of which the spider usually effects its escape 
when disturbed. 
If a newly-formed flocculus be examined under the micro- 
scope it will be found to consist of four lines and two delicate 
bands ; two of the former are straight and exceedingly attenu- 
ated, and on each is distributed a tortuous line, inflected into 
short curves and loops, like a ravelled thread of fine silk. On 
each of the tortuous lines a white band, faintly tinged with 
blue, is disposed in numerous irregular curvatures, which are 
more widely extended than the flexures of those lines ; and 
these bands, by their tenacity, constitute the most important 
