194 THE WONDERS OF INSTINCT 



fields. At such times the Locust hops more nimbly than 

 ever, more gaily skims the Dragon-fly. Besides, the 

 limy web, despite the rents suffered during the night, is 

 still in serviceable condition. If some giddy-pate allow 

 himself to be caught, will the Spider, at the distance 

 whereto she has retired, be unable to take advantage of 

 the windfall? Never fear. She arrives in a flash. 

 How is she apprised? Let us explain the matter. 



The alarm is given by the vibration of the web, much 

 more than by the sight of the captured object. A very 

 simple experiment will prove this, I lay upon a Banded 

 Epeira's lime-threads a Locust that second asphyxiated 

 with carbon disulphide. The carcass is placed in front, 

 or behind, or at either side of the Spider, who sits move- 

 less in the center of the net. If the test is to be appHed 

 to a species with a daytime hiding-place amid the foliage, 

 the dead Locust is laid on the web, more or less near the 

 center, no matter how. 



In both cases, nothing happens at first. The Epeira 

 remains in her motionless attitude, even when the morsel 

 is at a short distance in front of her. She is indifferent 

 to the presence of the game, does not seem to perceive 

 it, so much so that she ends by wearing out my patience. 

 Then, with a long straw, which enables me to conceal 

 myself slightly, I set the dead insect trembling. 



That is quite enough. The Banded Epeira and the 

 Silky Epeira hasten to the central floor; the others 

 come down from the branch; all go to the Locust, 

 swathe him with tape, treat him, in short, as they would 

 treat a live prey captured under normal conditions. 



