CCELOTES SAXATILIS . 
507 
A peettt species of another family is the Agelena labyrinthica. It is found plentifully 
on heaths and commons, and derives its specific name from the complicated nature of its web. 
This is a very large structure when compared with the dimensions of its architect, and is 
spread almost horizontally over the tops of furze, heath, and the other plants which are found 
on commons. It is a tolerably massive web, and well calculated for catching prey. Unlike 
the garden-spider, which boldly sits in the middle of the web, trusting to the delicate meshes 
escaping the eyes of flying insects, the Agelena does not trust itself in sight, but sits in its 
dark cavern, which communicates with the web by means of a silken tunnel. 
The Tegenaria domestica , belonging to another genus, is a fine spider which is mostly 
found in old houses, chiefly haunting the corners, and spinning a thick, horizontal sheet of 
web, and forming a rather stout, silken tube as a communication between the web and the den 
where the spider sits and watches for its prey. Both figures of our illustration are of natural 
size. The well-known Cardinal-spider, which frightens ignorant persons by its large size, is 
probably a variety of this species. The web is always very completely supported by guy 
ropes, which are laid with the greatest care, and disposed as artistically as if arranged by a 
professional architect. 
Like the preceding species, this spider makes several dish-shaped cocoons, surrounds them 
with a coarse envelope, and covers the white silken cases with bits of old' mortar, fragments of 
wood, particles of whitewash, or any other substance that can be easily obtained. These 
cocoons are to be seen in June and July. 
The color of this species is ruddy brown, dark brown, and buff, the first tint being drawn 
in a broad band along the whole body, the second being the ground tint, and the third being 
formed with rows of spots on each side of the central line. The limbs are banded with 
reddish brown and black. The male is smaller than the female, darker colored, and has his 
legs proportionately longer. The average length of the body is nearly three-quarters of an 
inch, so that the spread of limb is, in a fine specimen, very considerable. This species occa- 
sions dire tumults in the minds of housemaids, who sweep away the webs with ruthless broom, 
and give the spider no hope of a peaceful home. 
There are several species of Tegenaria, all having very similar habits. In one species, it 
has been found that the spider changes its skin, or moults, nine times before they reach adult 
age, the first moult being achieved while in the cocoon, and the remaining eight after the 
HOUSE SPIDER. Tegenaria domestica. (a, male; and beneath, the position of tbe eyes; b, female.) 
young have left their silken cradle. It has, moreover, been proved by actual experiment, that 
a limb may be removed at the joint and renewed many times in succession, the new limb 
appearing after the next moult. The life of this species averages four years. 
A peetty spider, which is termed Coelotes saxatilis , is rather more than half an inch in 
length ; but, owing to the shortness of the limbs, it does not present so formidable an aspect 
as many of less real dimensions. The female of this species makes a curious and rather large 
