ON ARACHNIDA. 
471 
in a globular silky cocoon, the volume of which occupies 
one-fourth of the internal capacity of the cell. The female 
remains constantly by them, having the abdomen in the in- 
terior of the habitation, and the trunk in the water. Clerk 
has seen many little ones swimming in the month of J uly. 
which leads to the supposition that the eggs are all laid in the 
course of the preceding month. It takes place a little sooner 
in France. 
Some species of Thertdion remain under stones; others 
inhabit the parts of houses which are little frequented or 
seldom visited, and make their webs either at the angles of 
walls, or in closets, and amongst furniture. But most part of 
the others choose as a domicile, trees or flowers. Such is 
particularly the species which M. Walckenaer has named 
benignum , and whose manners he has studied with so much 
attention. Fie has given us in the fifth fasciculus of his 
History of the Animals of this family, some extremely curious 
and complete observations respecting the coupling ol this 
species, of which the following is an abridgment. 
This species is frequently seen, especially in autumn, in 
gardens, and kitchen gardens. Its irregular web, notwith- 
standing its extreme tenuity, often protects grapes from the 
bite of insects. It is seldom that this fruit is used without 
finding the animal there. It is also fond of spreading its 
threads over the surface of the leaves, between the flowers, 
and at the extremity of different vegetables. The female 
deposits her eggs three times a-year ; her cocoon is lenticular, 
flatted, of a close tissue, and a very brilliant white. 
The business of reproduction so completely absorbs both 
sexes, that when the coupling is commenced, the leaf on 
which they are may be detached, and the union observed with 
a microscope, without in the least disturbing them. 
The coupling most usually takes place on the shrubs ol 
our gardens, such as lilacs, rose-bushes, &c., towards the 
