v] TRAP-SNARES AND BALLOONS 31 



differing chiefly in the degree of neatness with which 

 they are constructed, and in certain minor details of 

 the "hub," but we have one spider, Hyptiotes 

 paradoxm an exceedingly rare species, scarcely 

 ever seen beyond the limits of the New Forest- 

 winch makes such a strange snare that it seems a 

 pity to omit all mention of it. It consists of a sector 



-about one sixth of the full circle comprising about 

 four radii with cross lines. From the point where 

 the radii meet, a " trap-line ' connects the sector to 

 another point of attachment ; on, or rather under, 

 this trap-line, the spider takes up its position, hauling 

 it in so as to tighten the web and to leave a slack 

 portion of the line between the points where it holds 

 on by its front and hind legs. When an insect 

 impinges on the web and causes it to tremble, the 

 spider immediately lets go with its fore legs, and the 

 consequent vibration of the web helps to entangle its 

 prey. 



The circular snare is the highest form of spinning 

 work attained by spiders, and there is little tempta- 

 tion to expend much time in studying the cruder 

 structures that meet the eye everywhere, but two 

 other types are worth a brief notice. Examine any 

 garden bush particularly a holly bush, of which the 

 rather rigid leaves provide excellent points of support 



-and you will find numberless small webs made 

 without any discoverable method, the lines crossing 



