Page:VCH Kent 1.djvu/280

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A HISTORY OF KENT in gardens. One of our largest Pardosas. Known also under Lycma and as L. saccata, Blackwall. 44. Pardosa annulata, Thorell. Tunbridge Wells (T. R. R. S.). Somewhat similar to but smaller than the last-named species. Known also under Lycoia. 45. Pirata piraticus (Clerck). Tunbridge Wells (T. R. R. S.). Common in marshy places, carrying its pure white egg-sac on the spinners. Known also under Lycosa. AGELENIDiE Spiders with eight eyes, situated in two transverse rows. Legs with three tarsal claws. The species of this family spin a large sheet-like web, and construct a tubular retreat at the back of it, which leads to some crevice amongst the rocks, the roots of herbage or the chinks in the walls of outhouses, wherever the various species may happen to be found. The pos- terior pair of spinners is usually much longer than the other two pairs. 46. Tegenaria atrica (C. L. Koch). Yalding. A very large spider with long legs, not un- common in cellars and outhouses and also in holes in banks, etc. 47. Tegenaria derhamii (Scopoli). Tunbridge Wells (T. R. R. S.). Smaller, paler and more common than the last named ; almost entirely confined to houses and outbuildings. Known also as T. civilis. 48. Tegenaria silvestris, L. Koch. Tunbridge Wells (T. R. R. S.). A still smaller species, sometimes not un- common amongst rockeries in greenhouses and gardens. Known also as T. campestris. 49. Agelena labyrinthica (Clerck). Yalding. A common spider, large when full grown, spinning a huge sheet-like white web over the herbage, with a funnel-shaped tubular retreat. Like others of the family the posterior pair of spinners is formed of two distinct segments. 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 supernumerary claws. The web is either an orbicular snare, or consists 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 Epeirida and Linyphiida. 50. Meta segmentata (Clerck). Hurst Wood (T.R.R.S); Gravesend (F.P.S.). 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 hav- ing a clear space in the centre as do others of the genus and also Tetragnatha, thus differ- ing from the genus Aranem (Epeira). Known also as Epeira inclmata, Blackwall. 51. Meta meriance (Scopoli). Yalding ; Gravesend (F. P. S.). A larger 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. 52. Tetragnatha externa (Linnseus). Tunbridge WeUs (T. R. R. S.). 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 band under the abdomen. The jaws in the males of this genus are very large and conspicuous. 53. Tetragnatha solandri (Scopoli), Tunbridge WeUs (T. R. R. S.). Very similar to the last species in general appearance, 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. 54. Pachygnatha clerckii, Sundevall. Gravesend (F. P. S.). 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. 230