Page:VCH Cornwall 1.djvu/302

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A HISTORY OF CORNWALL orbicular web, having a clear space in the centre as do others of the genus, and also Tetragnatha, thus differing from the genus Araneus (Epeira). Known also as Epeira inclinata, Blackwall. 65. Meta menardi, Latreille. Saltash (G. C. B.). A fine species, found usually in caves. Known also as Epeira fusca, Blackwall. 66. Meta merlanae, Scopoli. Portscatho. A large species found in cellars and damp places. Known also as Epeira antriada, Blackwall, and a variety with a white band down the centre of the abdomen as E. celata, Blackwall. 67. Tetragnatha extensa, Linnaeus. Mawnan. 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 recog- nized by the silvery white bands under the abdomen. The jaws in the males of this genus are very large and conspicuous. 68. Tetragnatha solandri, Scopoli. Falmouth. Very similar to the last species in general appear- ance, 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. 69. Pachygnatha clerckii, Sundevall. Gerrans Bay. 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. 70. Pachygnatha degeerii, Sundevall. Whitsand Bay (G. C. B.) ; Gerrans Bay. Smaller and commoner than the last species. Found at the roots of herbage. 71. Cyclosa con'tca, Pallas. Mawnan. A rare but easily recognized species, having a triangular abdomen, and sits in the centre of its web on a band of white transparent silk ; possibly from a distance appearing like the dung of a small bird upon the surrounding foliage. Known also under Epeira. 72. Zilla X-notata, Clerck. Portscatho. A very common spider, usually spinning its web on or in the proximity of buildings. The web has a vacant wedge-shaped piece with a single free ray from the centre. Known also as Epeira similis, Blackwall. 73. Zilla atrica, C. L. Koch. Mawnan. Almost as common as the above, but more usually confined to the foliage of trees and bushes. The males have a very long palpus, while in X-notata these are very short. Known also as Epeira callophylla, Blackwall. 74. Araneus cucurbltinus, ClercL Mawnan. A beautiful green spider with bright red tips to the tail end, rendering it like the bud of a flower. Known also under Epeira, 75. Araneus diadematus, Clerck. Gerrans Bay ; Liskeard. By far the commonest of our spiders, being known as the ' garden spider,' of Jarge size, usually red- brown with lozenge-shaped spots, spinning an orb- web. Known also under Epeira. 76. Araneus quadratic, Clerck. Gerrans Bay. 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-bee, and in colour it is warm pink with green shading and four large white spots on the back of the abdomen . Known also under Epeira. 77. Araneus marmoreus, Clerck. Botus Fleming (G. C. B.). Known also as Epeira marmorea and Epeira scalaris, and Epeira pyramidata (Clerck). 78. Araneus adiantus, Walckenaer. Whitsand Bay (G. C. B.). Usually fairly common amongst the long grass growing on the underclifFs all along the south coast. Known also as Epeira adianta. 79. Araneus cornutus, Clerck. Gerrans Bay. Abundant in rush beds, &c. near streams or in swampy places. Known also as Epeira apoclisa, Blackwall. 80. Araneus umbraticus, Clerck. Liskeard ; Mawnan. A large species, very like the last in general appear- ance, but much more flattened, for it lives under the bank of trees and posts, spinning a strong orb-web, and venturing out of its lurking place only at night- fall. Known also under Epeira. 8 1. Araneus triguttatus, Fabricius. Mawnan. Not uncommon on iron palings, where the rust-red patch on the forepart of the abdomen resembles a spot of iron-rust, and thus favours concealment. It can also be beaten from the foliage of trees. Known also under Epeira agalena. 82. Porrhomma inerrans, O. P.-Cambridge. Mawnan. Known also as Neriene inerrans. 83. Linyphia triangularis, Clerck. Liskeard. A very abundant species in autumn, whose sheet- like snares glistening with dewdrops form a con- spicuous feature on the hedges and bushes in the early mornings. The mandibles in the male are very long, resembling those in Tetragnatha. 250