THE HOUSE SPIDER 183 



flaskshaped. It varies from about one-fourtli to a third of an 

 inch in length, and is usually about two-thirds as broad as long. 

 The cocoon is formed out of the silk, drawn from the spinnerets 

 and wound about and around many times, and finally packed 

 closely together during and after the process of spinning. It is 



Fig. 33. — The first stage in tlie coooouing process, spinning tlie cone- 

 siiaped foundation previous to egg laying. Drawing X4. 



not parchment -like as are some of our common insect cocoons, 

 and there appears to be no admixture of any sticky substance 

 with the silk. When first spun the cocoon is a shiny light tawny 

 color, but as it ages it becomes darker. Old cocoons lose their 

 shiny appearance. 



