188 IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE Vol. XXV, 1918 



Can Spiderlings Emerge from their Cocoons hy Themselves? 

 It has been frequently debated as to whether spiderlings can 

 emerge by themselves from the silken cocoon which encloses 

 them. The chief reason for the debate apparently lies in the 

 fact that the female of several species is known to help in the 



Pig. 36. — The flnisherl cocoon. The silk is so well packed to.afether as to 

 .suggest pai-chment. Apparently no gluey .substance is used in tliis packing 

 process. Drawing X4. 



lil)cration of her young by making a hole through the wall of the 

 cocoon for their exit. In the ease of the house spider, it appears 

 tluit normally the female heli)s in the liberation of her offspring 

 from the enclosing cocoon, but can they gnaw tlieir way out with- 

 out her aid? 



