a longitudinal central, and oblique lateral, stripes or bars may be traced on the hinder half; the superior spinners are short and three-jointed, those of the inferior pair are exceedingly minute.
Adult females were found in nests similar to those of Cteniza fodiens.
The cork nests are the simplest form of nest, with
the exception of those described above from Jamaica,
and have constituted, up to the present time, the only
type known in Europe. Their chief claims to our
admiration lie in the perfection of workmanship which
the doors usually exhibit, and the marvellous concealment
which they afford when closed. These doors as
a rule fit so tightly [thanks to the accurate adjustment
of their sloping sides to the bevelled lip of the tube
which receives them,] that they afford a certain amount
of mechanical resistance, even when the spider is
away. But, after examining a very large series of
these cork nests, I find that there is some variation in
the degree of perfection attained in their work by
different individuals of the same kind. The mechanical
resistance is greater or less in proportion to the thickness
and weight of the door, and to the slope of its
sides, and of the bevelled edges of the tube; and in
each of these details a marked difference may be
observed.
One might suppose from what has so often been repeated as to the habits of N. cæmentaria, that, whenever any one attempts to open the door, the spider, which is always at home in the day time, would dart up from the bottom of the tube and endeavour to keep it closed by holding on from within.
I cannot say what may take place during the summer months; but from October to May I have but rarely
