The Life of Spiders 



An account of remarkable sheets of gossamer, based on the 

 observations of Mr. J. B. Lembert of Yosemite, Cal., has been 

 published by Dr. L. O. Howard (Proc. Ent. Soc. Wash. Ill, 191). 

 These sheets are formed on the sides of the Yosemite Valley, are 

 of yearly occurrence, and of great extent. 



On one occasion I saw a ploughed field that was covered with 

 a sheet of silk. It was evident that an immense number of small 

 spiders had attempted to fly but that the wind had blown their 

 thread merely from the crest of one furrow to another. Although 

 the field was completely covered with the sheet of silk, so delicate 

 was this fabric that it was invisible except where the light of the 

 sun was reflected directly to the eye of the observer; the appearance 

 being like that of the wake of the moon on slightly disturbed 

 water (Fig. 205). 



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