164 



PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF 



[1881. 



form of web hci-e described. 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 different stages of its diurnal 

 changes. 



Fig. 1 presents a view of the snare in a partially relaxed con- 

 dition. The spider is seen seated in the centre of a series of rays, 

 i, ii, iii, iv, v, which are grasped by the third and fourth pairs of 

 legs. There is no hub, properly speaking, but the axes of the 

 rays may be seen at times united upon a central point, as at H, 

 fig. 2. The general tendency is to four or five main divisions or 



Fro. 2. 



rays, as ma}' 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. 2, and also in fig. 4. 

 The central space is a lai'ge irregular opening, constituting 

 about one-third of the entire snare, whose diameter is usually from 

 three to five inches (see fig. 3). The central circle, meshes, and 

 notched spirals which so generally characterize the Orb-webs are 

 thus wholly wanting here. 



