THE EPEIRID^E 



157 



sticky spiral. In the outermost parts of the web it usually 

 forms several loops (fig. 381, b to/"), filling in the corners until 

 it approaches the inner spiral and finds room to pass completely 



Fig. 381. Unfinished web of Epeira sclopetaria showing the completed inner spiral 

 ending at a. The outer spiral began at b, went to c, and returned to d; turned 

 and went to e, and then to/; and from there nearly around the web to g. From 

 g it returned to the lower part of the web and made loops at i and j , and then 

 started around the web until it was stopped at k. 



around the web. As soon as the inner spiral is found in the 

 way a part of it is cut out, and by the time the outer spiral is 

 finished the inner is reduced to the small and close portion 

 near the center. 



