Page:VCH Lancaster 1.djvu/202

 A HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE ARGYOPID^ The spiders included in this family have eight eyes, situated in two rows, the lateral eyes of both rows being usually adjacent, if not in actual contact, while the central eyes form a quadrangle. The tarsal claws are three, often with other supemumerar)- claws. The web is either an orbicular (wheel-like) snare, or con- sists of a sheet of webbing, beneath which the spiders hang, and capture the prey as it falls upon the sheet. This immense family includes those usually separated under the names EpeiriiLe and Linyphiida. 9 1 . Meta segmentata, Clerclc. Duddon Vale ; Southport (O. P.-C), A. R. J. ; Warrington (L. G.). A very abundant spider in the summer and autumn amongst nettles and other herbage along hedgerows. The spiders vary very much in size, and spin an orbicular web having a clear space in the centre, as do others of the genus and also T etragnatha, thus differing from the genus Araneus (Epeira). Known also as Epeira segmentata, Epeira incRnata, Blackwall, and Epeira meiigii, Blackwall. 92. Meta meriana, Scopoli. Duddon Vale ; Southport (A. R. J.). A larger species, common in cellars and beneath the overhanging rocks and steep damp banks throughout the district. Known also as Epeira antriada, Walck- enaer, and Epeira celata, Blackwall. 93. Neiticu! ccllulanus, Clerck. Southport (A. R. J.). 94. Singa pygmiea, Sundevall. Kirkby, Rev. J. H. Bloom (O. P.-C). 95. Telrapiatha extensa, lAnnzai. Southport (O. P.-C.) ; Warrington (L.G.) ; Dud- don Vale. A very common species of elongate form, which sits in the centre of its web with legs stretched out in front and behind. Not so entirely confined to marshy localities as the next species, and easily recognized by the silvery white bands under the abdomen. The jaws in the males of this genus are very large and strongly toothed. 96. Tetragnatha sokndri, Scopoli. Grange ; Duddon Vale ; Southport (A R. J.). ^ery similar in appearance to the last species, but almost entirely confined to river banks and marshy swamps. Can be recognized by the dull white bands beneath the abdomen and the absence of any pale line on the sternum. 97. Pachygnatha clerckii, Sundevall. Duddon Vale ; Southport (O. P.-C, A. R. J.). Resembles a Tetragnatha in the possession of very large mandibles, but is not elongate and spins no web to speak of Found under leaves and at the roots of herbage, especially in marshy places. 98. Pachygnatha Fisteri, Sundevall. Warrington (L. G.) ; Southport (A. R. J.). Very similar to the last two species, but of a dark claret-red tint. Found usually amongst dead leaves in woods. 99. Zilla x-notata, Clerck. Warrington (L. G.) ; Duddon Vale ; Southport (O. P.-C, A. R. J.). A very common spider, usually spinning its web on or in the proximity of buildings. The web has usually a vacant wedge-shaped piece with a single free ray from the centre. Known also as Epeira similii, Blackwall. 100. Zilla atrica, C L. Koch. Duddon Vale ; Southport (O. P.-C, A. R. J.) ; Warrington (L. G.). Almost as common as the above, but more usually confined to the foliage of trees and bushes, though often found on the walls of the fell districts. The males have a very long palpus, while in Z. x-notata these are very short. Known also as Epeira callophylla, Blackwall. 10 1. Araneus cucurbitinus, Clerck. Warrington (L. G.) ; Southport (O. P.-C, A. R. J.) ; Duddon Vale. A beautiful green spider with bright red tip to the tail end, rendering it in appearance like the bud of a flower. Known also as Epeira eucurbitina. 102. Araneus diodematus, Clerck. Warrington (L.G.) ; Southport (O. P.-C, A.R.J.) ; Coniston. By far the commonest of our spiders, being usually known as the ' garden spider,' of large size, red- brown and black with white lozenge-shaped spots, spinning an orb-web. Known also as Epeira diadema or diadcmata. 103. Araneus quadratus, Clerck. Southport (O. P.-C, A. R. J.) ; Warrington (L.G.). A common spider in October on most heathy commons, where it spins a strong orb-web and makes a tent for concealment under the heather or gorse. Its food consists chiefly of the common honey-bees, and in colour it is warm pink with green shading and four large white spots on the back of the abdomen. Known also as Epeira quadrata. 104. Araneus cornutus, Clerck. Duddon Vale ; Manchester, Liverpool (L.G.) ; Southport (O. P.-C, A. R. J.). Abundant in the rushes and grass-heads near streams or in swampy places. Known also as Epeira comula and Epeira apodisa, Blackwall. 105. Araneus umbraticus, Clerck. Warrington (L. G.) ; Southport (A. R. J.). A large species, nearly black and much flattened, for it lives under the bark of trees and posts, spinning a strong orb-web and venturing out of its lurking place only at nightfall. Known also as Epeira um- bratica. 106. Araneus redii, Scopoli. Southport (O. P.-C). Common in the heather districts in June and July. Known also as Epeira sellers, Walckenaer, and Epeira solers, Blackwall. 150