ARANEIDEA. 
Araclin. 9 
that hitherto observed by others. The mode of entangling their prey, 
by Spiders, is also detailed. 
Rowbotiiam, F. J. Habits of Spiders. Nature, xxvi. p. 386. 
Calls attention to the voluntary quivering and dancing movement so 
often observed in Spiders in their webs, and concludes that it is due to a 
desire for concealment on the approach of danger. 
Semper, C. Dio naturlichcn Existonz-bodingungon der Thiore. Intermit, 
wiss. Bibliothek, xxxix. & xl. pp. 290 & 296. 
Records a hitherto undescribed Spider, found in holes of coral blocks, 
where it becomes immersed at each flood. 
Simon, Eugene. Etudes Arachuologiques, 13 e Memoire, xx. Descrip- 
tions d’especes et de genres nouveaux de la famille des Dysderida>. 
Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. (6) ii. pp. 201-240, woodcuts. 
Describes 40 species (all new) of various genera, of which six are cha- 
racterized as new, from France, Spain, Egypt, and Syria. 
Simon exhibited the gigantic nest of a Spider from the Islands of 
Solo (New Hebrides Group) ; Bull. Soc. Ent. Fr. (6) i. p. xxxi. [1881]. Iu 
form and texture this nest resembled a very large one of Stegodyphus 
lineatus, Latr., found in S. Europe. [The form appears to be that of a 
cornucopia.] Cf. I . c. p. xciii., whore Simon, in explanation of the 
above, said that it had been ascertained to bo the work of the natives, 
who formed it out of silk obtained from the egg-cocoons of Nephila 
labillardierii and other allied species. 
The same Arachnologist exhibited nests of two species of Therapho- 
sidee. i. Of Lasiodora spinicrus] which reached Paris alive, and had de- 
posited its eggs on the way. The eggs are numerous, not agglutinated, 
but enveloped in a very white tissue, stout, and of a woolly appearance, 
ii. Of a Spider belonging to new genus near Idiops. The nest is fixed 
to the bark of a tree ; it is almost cylindrical, rounded and closed at the 
bottom, and has a very oblique opening at the top, closed by a moveable 
operculum, slender and thin, but rigid, and attached at its lowest point. 
The outer side of the nest is covered with fragments of bark and lichens, 
excepting on the middle of the operculum, which remains smooth and 
white. Bull. Soc. Ent. Fr. (6) ii. pp. lxix. & lxx. 
Sorensen, William. Sur le rapprochement des sexes chez quelques 
Araignees. Ent. Tidskr. i. pp. 171-174. 
The author notes various interesting facts and instances respecting the 
avidity among some males and the backwardness of others in seeking the 
female, and courting her society. He mentions that the adult males of 
some Spiders may bo found at times dwelling .along with immature 
females, which is accounted for by the fear of the male to approach an 
adult female, who may have already coupled, and may therefore at once 
massacre him ; he therefore prefers attaching himself to a young female 
with whom he can dwell, and couple with when mature. 
