WATER-INSECTS. 



ture, by which means are caught and detained many small 

 water-insects which compose its food. Sometimes insects 

 are caught in the water, brought to the surface, and de- 

 voured dry, or else taken and consumed in mid-water ; 

 sometimes those caught in mid-water are carried to the nest ; 

 sometimes, as with Land-Spiders, they are hung upas stores 

 for future consumption. 



The nest made by the male Spider is smaller than that of 

 the female, and sometimes constructed in its vicinity. This 

 is when he is about to make love. And then he makes a 

 tube or channel of communication between the two, through 

 which his visits are made. Other males sometimes attack 

 and try to enter the same nest ; combats take place, during 

 wdiich the nest is broken and the air escapes. For depo- 

 siting her eggs, the female makes a large cocoon, which is 

 netted in by a much tougher and stouter material than that 

 which is used for the ordinary purposes of residence ; and 

 this is much thickened at the roof, so as to present the ap- 

 pearance of a small sheet of glazed cotton wadding. The 

 materials are evidently distinct, one being of a silky nature, 

 the other hyaline, and perfectly transparent. 



The air-bell or iiest, in which the Spider resides, differs 

 very much in different cases and different situations. They 



