THE RAY SPIDER AND HER SNARE. 



197 



more careful examination of the spinningwork of these little strangers. As 

 the snares were hung invariably within the interstices of rocks forming 

 the remains of a ruined dam, or in cavities underneath roots of old stumps 

 of trees, or in recesses of the overhanging banks of a little brook or run, 

 everywhere shadowed by shrubbery and thick foliage, it is not strange that 

 the peculiarity failed to attract attention, and was only developed by more 

 careful research. 



On account of the continually changing form of the snare, it will be 

 necessary to present it from various points of view, and as seen in differ- 

 ent stages of its diurnal changes. Fig. 187 presents a view of the 

 nare snare in a partially relaxed condition. The spider is seen seated 

 in the centre of a series of rays, i, ii, iii, iv, v, which are grasped 

 by the tliird and fourth pairs of legs. There is no hub, properly speaking. 



Fn;. 189. view from front. Web taut. Perspective not shown. Central opening e.xaci. 



but the axes of the rays may be seen at times united upon a central 

 point, as at H, Fig. 188. The general tendency is to four or five main 

 divisions or rays, as may be seen by studying the figures presented. But 

 there is more or less variation, and in the course of the day's usage in 

 capturing prey two sections will become interblended upon one axis, as 

 appears to be the case in Fig. 188 and also in Fig. 191. 



The central space is a large, irregular opening, constituting about one- 

 third of the entire snare, whose diameter is usually from three to five 

 inches, as at Fig. 189, which is drawn natural size. The central circle, 

 meslies, and notched spirals which so generally characterize orbwebs are 

 thus wholly wanting in the Actinic snare. 



