ARVNKIDRA. 
225 
Theraphosides. 
J. T. Moggridge, 1. c. p. 193, pi, xiv., describes and figures seven different 
types of trap-door spiders’ nests : — a, Purse net door nest {Atypus) ; 6, 
Cork nest (^Cteniza and Nemesia, pt.) ; c, Single door, unbranched wafer 
nest ; d, Single door, branched wafer nest ; e, Double door, unbranched 
wafer nest ; /, Double door, branched wafer nest ; g, Double door, branched, 
cavity, wafer nest : the 5 last species belong to Nemesia. The terms 
‘ cork ’ and ‘ wafer ’ apply to the two forms of lid with which the nests 
close at the upper end ; the ‘ cork ’ lid fits into the opening, the ‘ wafer ’ 
lid merely over it. The ‘ double-door ’ refers to the curious inner 
valvular flap with which either the lower part of the main tube, or its 
branch, may be shut off from the rest. 
John S. Hittell in “The Resources of California” (6th edition, San 
Francisco: 1874), speaks of “Tarantulas” (evidently alluding to some 
species of Theraphosides) of large size, body 2 inches long and span of 
legs 5 inches, living in trap-door nests ; he says, “ in the top of the door 
are several little holes, into which the Tarantula can insert its claws 
when it wishes to enter; and so quick are its motions, when terrified, 
that it often disappears suddenly under the eyes of men pursuing it, 
and they have great difficulty in finding its hiding-place.” A graphic, 
but somewhat sensational, account is given of the attack upon one of 
these spiders by a large “ wasp,” ending in the defeat of the spider, the 
wasp’s object being to deposit its eggs in the spider’s body. Several 
other species of small spiders are speken of as living in similar dwellings 
or ‘ trap-door ’ nests ; one kind having many representatives on Tele- 
graph Hill, in San Francisco. 
A. Roger, Sci. Goss. 1874, p. 206, gives a rather sensational account of 
the habits of a trap-door spider. My gale coimentaria [?]. If the facts are 
to be relied upon, the spider’s habits are diurnal. 
Cteniza moggridgii, Mentone and San Remo, p. 254, pi. xx. figs, a, 
A 1-a9, californica, Yisalia, California, pp. 260 & 198, pi. xv. fig. b, O. 
P. Cambridge, in Supplement to Moggridge’s Harvesting Ants and Trap- 
door Spiders : spp. nn. 
Nemesia ccementaria, Cambr. {nec Latr.), re-named moggridgii\ E. 
Simon, Feuil. Nat. no. 46, p. 117. The true N. ccementaria, Latr., 
described, p. 264, figured, pi. xix. fig. B, and its identity discussed, pp. 
269-272 ; O. P. Cambridge, 1. c. 
Nemesia manderstjernce^ Auss., described and figured, from San Remo, 
Bordighera, Mentone, Cannes, and Hyeres, pp. 254 & 283, pi. xx. figs, n 
& c ; N. meridionalis, Costa, differentiated from it, and figured, from 
Corsica, pp. 215 & 289, pi. i. figs. 2 & 3 ; iV. alpigrada, Sim., = Y. eleanora, 
Cambr., p. 272 ; O. P. Cambridge, 1. c. 
Nemesia imeerta, Digne, pp. 276 & 229, pi. xix. fig. D, N. duhia, 
Pyrenees, pp. 280 & 229, pi. xix. fig. e, N. congener, Hyi^res, pp. 293 & 
225, pi. xviii. fig. a, N. stifusa, Montpellier, pp. 295 & 215, pi. xvii. 
fig. A, N. swioni, Bordeaux, pp. 297 & 211, pi. xvi. fig. A; id. 1. c. : 
spp. nn. 
1874. [VOE. XT.] 
Q 
