The Garden Spiders: Building the Web 



research. The smallest garden contains 

 Epeiras, all accomplished weavers. 



In my enclosure, which I have stocked care- 

 fully with the most famous breeds, I have six 

 different species under observation, all of a 

 useful size, all first-class spinners. Their 

 names are the Banded Epeira (Epeira fasci- 

 ata WALCK.), the Silky Epeira (E. sericea, 

 Walck.), the Angular Epeira (E. angulata, 

 Walck.), the Pale-tinted Epeira (E. pallida, 

 Oliv.), the Diadem Epeira, or Cross Spider 

 (E. diadema, Clerk.) , and the Crater Epeira 

 (E. crater a, Walck.). 



I am able, at the proper hours, all through 

 the fine season, to question them, to watch 

 them at work, now this one, anon that, accord- 

 ing to the chances of the day. What I did not 

 see very plainly yesterday I can see the next 

 day, under better conditions, and on any of the 

 following days, until the phenomenon under 

 observation is revealed in all clearness. 



Let us go every evening, step by step, from 

 one border of tall rosemaries to the next. 

 Should things move too slowly, we will sit 

 down at the foot of the shrubs, opposite the 

 rope-yard, where the light falls favourably, 

 and watch with unwearying attention. Each 



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