vi ] AG ELENA 43 



night's rest, for the most critical part of the 

 performance takes place in the small hours of the 

 morning. We will describe what occurred in the 

 case of one Agelena. 



The approaching oviposition was heralded several 

 hours beforehand by the animal commencing to 

 weave a hammock-like compartment from the roof 

 of the box and above the sheet- web. This chamber 

 was about four inches long and was constructed 

 precisely in the same manner as the sheet, to which 

 it was braced by lines from various points of its 

 under surface. Its construction occupied the whole 

 day previous to the laying of the eggs, and not until 

 half an hour before midnight was it completed. 

 Within this compartment, close to the roof, the 

 spider next wove a small sheet one inch long, working 

 diligently in an inverted position, ventral surface 

 upwards. After a quarter of an hour it rested for 

 an equal space, apparently exhausted by its prolonged 

 efforts. An hour and three quarters intermittent 

 work served to complete the sheet, the spider varying 

 the monotony of its sinuous walk round this small 

 area by occasionally walking over it and strengthening 

 the lines which attached its angles to the roof. 



A marked change now became observable in the 

 manner oi working. The animal abandoned its in- 

 cessant to and fro motion but began to jerk its body 

 up towards the sheet, throwing silk strongly against 



