The Labyrinth Spider 



centre, the texture becomes first fine muslin 

 and then satin; lower still, on the narrower 

 part of the opening, it is a network of roughly 

 lozenged meshes. Lastly, the neck of the 

 funnel, the usual resting-place, is formed of 

 solid silk. 



The Spider never ceases working at her 

 carpet, which represents her investigation- 

 platform. Every night she goes to it, walks 

 over it, inspecting her snares, extending her 

 domain and increasing it with new threads. 

 The work is done with the silk constantly 

 hanging from the spinnerets and constantly 

 extracted as the animal moves about. The 

 neck of the funnel, being more often walked 

 upon than the rest of the dwelling, is therefore 

 provided with a thicker upholstery. Beyond 

 it are the slopes of the crater, which are also 

 much-frequented regions. Spokes of some 

 regularity fix the diameter of the mouth; a 

 swaying walk and the guiding aid of the 

 caudal appendages have laid lozengy meshes 

 across these spokes. This part has been 

 strengthened by the nightly rounds of inspec- 

 tion. Lastly come the less-visited expanses, 

 which consequently have a thinner carpet. 



At the bottom of the passage dipping into 



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