214 TENANTS OF AN OLD FARM. 



where they converge upon the center by a series 

 of .spiral hnes. Tlien she prepares to put in the 

 rounds of her 'ladders,' which, however, are one con- 

 tinuous line that passes spirally across all the radii 

 a number of times, thus forming a series of concentric 

 circles. 



" These spirals are often very numerous ; I ha\'e found 

 as many as fifty or sixty, but generally the nuni))er does 

 not exceed thirty. They are covered with minute 

 beads of a very sticky substance, which give to the web 

 its efficiency as a snare. Insects Hying against tlie 

 lines are innnediately entangled, and Ix'fore they have 

 time to struggle free, the watcliful spider pounces upon 

 them. As the subsistence of the aranad depends upon 

 these spiral lines their structure becomes a matter of 

 great importance, and is conducted with becomirjg 

 care. 



" First of all a foundation or frame-work is spun, 

 which we will call the spiral foundation. This consists of 

 several concentric lines, usually about six or eight, which 

 are also spirals, but are quite dry, tliat is, without 

 viscid beads. The spider attaches a thread a short dis- 

 tance from the center, and moves around, crossing the 

 radii at each circle a little further toward the circum- 

 ference until slie has covered sutlicient space. She 

 thus produces a series of spirals whose bounds mark 

 out the surfiice over which her beaded spirals are to be 

 spun. 



"Here, for example, we have our radii, braced by 

 these cross lines marked Z (Fig. 74). Here at O th« 



