416 
CLASS ARACHNIDA. 
the epei'ra diadema, and some others, present, at the part 
which characterizes their sex, a very singular appendage, 
which reminds us of the apron of the Hottentot women. 
These species should form a particular division. Others may 
probably be established, not less natural, by pursuing this 
examination. 
We shall confine ourselves to citing some principal species, 
commencing with the indigenous. 
E. diadema , Aran . diadema , Lin., Fab. Ross. Insect. IV. 
xxxv. — xl. Large, reddish, and hairy ; abdomen very volu- 
minous in the females, especially when they are on the point 
of laying their eggs ; of a deep brown or yellowish red, with a 
thick and rounded tubercle on each side of the back, near its 
base, and a triple cross, formed of small spots or w 7 hite points; 
palpi and feet spotted with black. 
Very common in Europe, in autumn. The eggs disclose in 
the spring of the following year. 
E . scalar is, Aran, scalaris , Fab., Panz.,Faun. IV. xxiv. has 
the corslet reddish, the upper part of the abdomen usually 
white, with a black spot in the form of an inverted triangle, 
oblong, and denticulated. It makes its w eb on the edge of 
ponds, streams, &c. 
E. cicatrosa , Aran, cicatricosa , Deg., A . impressa , Fab., 
whose abdomen is flatted, of a greyish brown or obscure yel- 
lowish, with a black band, festooned, and bordered w ith grey 
along the middle of the back, and eight or ten thick sunken 
points, situated on two lines. 
It weaves its w r eb against walls or other bodies, and remains 
concealed in a nest of white silk, which it forms under some 
projecting part, or in some cavity, near its web. 
It neither works, nor takes any nutriment, except at night, 
or w r hen the light of day is feeble. It withdraws under the 
old bark of trees or stakes. 
Epeira sericea, Walck., Hist, des Aran. iii. 11, is covered 
