134 



AMERICAN SPIDERS AND THEIR SPINNINGWORK. 



The trapline of the Labyrintli spider differs from that of Trifolium 



and Insularis in being composed of several threads instead of a single 



line. Fig. 118. These threads usually diverge at the nest, with 



^^^^'^^ which they are united, and again sometimes at their attachment 



to the hub. Most frequently the trapline is a ray of threads 



converging upon the hub. The hub is characteristically meshed (Fig. 117), 



the sides of the meshes being in part the ends of the radii as continued 



within the hub, where they are of course greatly contorted. This feature 



is also observable in the notched zone, where the lines of the radii are 



often broken or zigzagged, and much bent out of their course, as may be 



seen at Fig. 119. 



I have observed the Labyrinth spider in the act of spinning her maze. 

 The process appears to be a simple one to the observer, although it is diffi- 

 cult to describe and yet more difficult to figure. The strong foundation lines 

 are first spun, and these lines, after having been once made, will be pre- 

 served carefully for a long pe- 

 pinning- ^,-^^^ ^£ ^j^-^-^^^ Indeed, unless 



rinth broken by external violence, a 



spider might preserve this sort 

 of household prop- 

 erty through an en- 

 tire season. From 

 these lines, by droj)- 

 i)ing and carrying 

 draglines, by crawl- 

 ing around upon the foliage, by establish- 

 ing here and there central intersecting 

 cables, and then by dropping and striding 

 from one to another, the labyrinthian 

 maze of crossed lines is in the end evolved. 



However, the complete condition of the maze is a matter of growth 

 through a longer or shorter period. When a comparatively few lines 

 have been spun, the spider will take her place at the central part therein. 

 She begins here to spin out a few short lines, which in the course of a 

 few moments present rudely the appearance of the dome of Linyphia. By 

 . pushing her body and her spinnerets against the top and sides 

 the Tent ^^ ^^^^^ domelike framework, she gets it into a somewhat con- 

 sistent shape. This is the foundation or scaffold upon which 

 eventually is built her silken tent, which acquires consistency of tissue 

 as the threads are gradually spun up against it. Here now she estab- 

 lishes herself, and from tliis point stretches out her traplincs and pro- 

 ceeds to spin her orb, swinging it upon the strong cables or foundation 

 lines of her retitelarian system. Her method, as far as I have been able 

 to judge, is precisely the method of Theridium and other true Lineweavers, 



Fig. 119. Bent radii in the 

 notched zone of Epeira laby- 

 rinthea. 



Fig. 118. Multiplex trapline of Labyrinthea. 



