THE BANDED EPEIRA 197 



coming. But is that all? No: for, if the Epeira had no 

 aim in view but a means of rapid transit between her 

 tent and the net, the foot-bridge would be fastened to 

 the upper edge of the web. The journey would be 

 shorter and the slope less steep. 



Why, moreover, does this line always start in the 

 center of the sticky network and nowhere else? Because 

 that is the point where the spokes meet and, therefore, 

 the common center of vibration. Anything that moves 

 upon the web sets it shaking. All then that is needed 

 is a thread issuing from this central point to convey to 

 a distance the news of a prey struggling in some part 

 or other of the net. The slanting cord, extending out- 

 side the plane of the web, is more than a foot-bridge: 

 it is, above all, a signaling-apparatus, a telegraph-wire. 



Let us tr}^ experiment. I place a Locust on the net- 

 work. Caught in the sticky toils, he plunges about. 

 Forthwith, the Spider issues impetuously from her hut, 

 comes down the foot-bridge, makes a rush for the 

 Locust, wraps him up and operates on him according 

 to rule. Soon after, she hoists him, fastened by a line 

 to her spinnerei, and drags him to her hiding-place, 

 where a long banquet will be held. So far, nothing new : 

 things happen as usual. 



I leave the Spider to mind her own affairs for some 

 days before I interfere wnth her. T again propose to 

 give her a Locust ; but this time T first cut the signaling- 

 thread with a touch of the scissors, without shaking any 

 part of the edifice. The game is then laid on the web. 

 Complete success: the entangled insect struggles, sets 



