Garden Spiders: The Telegraph-Wire 



legs resting on the ledge, ready to leap. The 

 lazy creature loves this position and rarely 

 stations herself head downwards on the web, 

 as do the others. Cosily ensconced in the 

 hollow of her cup, she awaits the approaching 

 game. 



Her web, which is vertical, as is the rule 

 among the Epeirae, is of a fair size and always 

 very near the bowl wherein the Spider takes 

 her ease. Moreover, it touches the bowl by 

 means of an angular extension; and the angle 

 always contains one spoke which the Epeira, 

 seated, so to speak, in her crater, has con- 

 stantly under her legs. This spoke, springing 

 from the common focus of the vibrations from 

 all parts of the network, is eminently fitted to 

 keep the Spider informed of whatsoever hap- 

 pens. It has a double office: it forms part of 

 the Catherine-wheel supporting the lime- 

 threads and it warns the Epeira by its vibra- 

 tions. A special thread is here superfluous. 



The other snarers, on the contrary, who 

 occupy a distant retreat by day, cannot do 

 without a private wire that keeps them in per- 

 manent communication with the deserted web. 

 All of them have one, in point of fact, but 

 only when age comes, age prone to rest and to 



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