CONTENTS 



CHAP. PAGE 



I. A Survey of the Field. Evidences of spider in- 

 dustry. Where to look for spiders. Variety 

 of habits 1 



II. What is a Spider ? The Arthropoda and their 

 divisions. Arachnida, Characteristics of a 

 spider. Spinnerets and their use . . 5 



III. The Circular Snare. Foundation lines. The 



spiral with its viscid beads. The building of 

 the snare. Why the spider is not caught in 

 its own snare 13 



I V. The Mental Powers of Spiders. The human stand- 



point. Instinct. Sight. Hearing. Smell. 

 Taste. Memory and " educability " . . 20 



V. Trap-snares and Balloons. Variations of the 



circular snare. The snare of Hyptiotes. 

 Webs of Theridion and Linyphia. The iron 

 railing and its aeronauts. A race congress. 

 Gossamer. Geographical distribution . . 30 



VI. Agelena. Its web. The spider and its behaviour 



in captivity. The platform and its carpet. 

 The construction of the cocoon. Instinctive, 

 not intelligent 3$ 



VII. Water-Spiders. Marine spiders. The fresh- 



water spider. The diving bell, and how it 

 is filled with air. Behaviour of the male. 

 Winter and summer houses . 47 



