180 TARSAL-COMB IN SPIDERS. 



pondered and considered these things much, while indulging in 

 the matutinal cigarette amongst the conservatoried floral treasures 

 of our friends, that a comparatively small and quiescent spider as 

 this should be able to ensnare, overpower, and utiUse as food such 

 large, fierce creatures as Amanrobius siinilis^ Dysdera Cambridgii^ 

 and other large spiders, besides immense wood-lice, harvestmen 

 {Phalangidce)^ large iron-armoured rhyncophorous beetles, et hoc 

 genus om?ie, which we have observed hanging helpless in their toils, 

 and moreover, that the capture should be compassed merely with 

 the assistance of a few (for they are not very dense) crossing and 

 recrossing lines. The falces (jaws) of our friends, like those of 

 almost all the species of Theridio?i^ are on a scale decidedly feeble, 

 and by no means a match in the snapping line, for such a beast as 

 Amaurobms, who must be a perfect ogre to the denizens of our 

 greenhouses. 



We were not, however, long without a clue to the mystery ; we 

 observed that upon these lines, chiefly at the points of their union 

 one with the other, the spider was in the habit of laying a light, 

 very fine, flocculent mass of silk, consisting of quantities of the 

 most delicate silken strands. This woolly mass has a very adhesive 

 property, due, however, to the exceeding fineness of its constituent 

 fibres, and not to any non-solidifying, gummy fluid deposited upon 

 it, as is the case amongst the wheel-web spinners. This explained 

 to us at once how the strongest victim becomes so hampered 

 and unable to act in self-defence, that our small friend can deal 

 with them with such comparative ease ; for once let a miserable 

 touch this treacherous wool, such a tanglement results that the 

 unfortunate may abandon all hope of again extricating itself 

 therefrom. The spider herself inspired with horrid purpose shakes 

 the whole web in a series of jerks, to eliminate, if possible, every 

 chance of escape, and evidently by way of furthering the complica- 

 tions wherein her wretched victim is involved. 



So far, so good ; the existence of the woolly webbing and its 

 use is evident. The next puzzle was, How is it produced ? We 

 secretly hoped we might discover a true calamistrum, and extra 

 spinning organs and glands, which would account for it, because 

 the only other spiders (so far as is known) who prepare such wool, 

 viz. : the species of the family Dictynidce^ and those of the family 



