Note 3 — Chapter IV · THE AGENIÆ; THE PELOPÆUS’ VICTUALS

Now that we know the provision-jar, let us ascertain what it contains. The Pelopæus’ larvæ are fed on Spiders, a diet likewise dear to the Ageniæ and to the Pompili.3 The game does not lack variety, even in the same nest and the same cell. Any Spider may form part of the ration, provided that her dimensions do not exceed the capacity of the jar. My abstracts of victuals mention the following genera: Epeira,4 Segestria, Clubionus,5 Attus, Theridion and Lycosa;6 and the list could no doubt be extended, were it worth while to continue the bill of fare. The Epeiræ are most numerous. Those recurring most frequently belong to the following species: E. diadema, scalaris, adianta, pallida and angulata. The Diadem Epeira, or Cross Spider,7 with three crosses of white dots on her back, is the dish that occurs oftenest.