44 



SPIDERS 



[CH. 



it. At the same time the posterior spinnerets were 

 actively rubbed together and the long posterior 

 spinnerets separated and brought together again with 

 a scissor-like action. The result of this performance 

 was to invest the under surface of the small sheet 



S - 



I , \ p 



Fig. 5. Agelena weaving her egg-cocoon. 



with a coating of flossy silk quite unlike the ordinary 

 web in texture, the purpose of which soon became 

 evident, for at about a quarter past two the spider 

 began to deposit its eggs upwards, against this loose- 

 textured silk, aiding the egg-mass to adhere by 



