Patterson] A STUDY OF SPIDERS 269 



of these webs, the spider will frequently repair the break so you 

 may be able to find out how she does it. However, she will 

 probably wait until evening before she begins the task. 



Capture one of the large orb weavers. Put it into a terrarium 

 and place the terrarium on a table near an open window. The 

 spider will probably make a web in the terrarium. By feeding her 

 on flies or other insects, you will be able to answer a number of 

 the questions asked above. 



Compare these orb weavers with the house-spider and the 

 funnel weavers, noting resemblenees and differences. The 

 spinnerets are easily studied on these large spiders. (This is a 

 good time to compare the structure of a spider with that of an 

 insect, noting differences.) 



We have some spiders that do not spin webs for the purpose 

 of catching prey. Look for these under logs, loose pieces of bark, 

 and bunches of dry leaves or grass. These are known as ground 

 or running spiders. You will often find them running about on 

 the ground in gardens and grass plots. Some of them make holes 

 in the ground in which they live a part of the time. Often, you 

 can find these homes regularly because the spider makes a small 

 web-like opening, often in a bunch of leaves leading into the home. 

 Compare these spiders with others studied. 



Late in September or early in October you will find many 

 flying spiders. Wait for a day when the air is full of cobwebs 

 stretching from one shrub or tree, building or fence-post to another. 

 See if you can find the origin of these numerous threads. Trace 

 one of the threads from one support to another to see how far it 

 extends. Look sharply on the ends of twigs or garden paling 

 for the spiders that are making the webs. If you watch closely 

 you may be able to find out just how they do it. Are these spiders 

 large or small? 



The velvety black jumping spiders are always very abundant 

 at this time. Watch them as they move about on some object. 

 Place a straw or stick in front of one to see what it does. Place 

 one on a small twig or stick, holding this near another object to 

 determine how far the spider will jump. Allow it to drop from 

 the end of the stick and determine how it swings on the end of a 

 web and how it clambers back to the stick. How do the legs 

 of the jumpers differ from those of the other spiders? 



