WATER-INSECTS. 253 



a quarter of an inch above the surface of the water. 

 After remaining there about two days, it resumed its aquatic 

 habits, and, Hke all the others, formed its winter habitation. 

 I have now no fewer than ten which have formed their 

 cells, in which they are perfectly at rest, and evidently hiber- 

 nating." 



De Lignen, having placed too many Argyronetm together 

 in one jar, some of them ate the others; the soHtary male 

 first falling a sacrifice to the jealousy of the females. De 

 Walkenaer however observed a contrary circumstance ; he- 

 ])laced in a goldfish-glass a large number of specimens, 

 with a branch of coral. Having waited to see the female 

 make her bell and attach it to the branch or coral, he next 

 noticed a large strong male constructing his nest near hers. 

 Being then obliged to leave them for a time, he was surprised 

 to find on his return, only that male and female with their 

 young left ; the rest of the females having disappeared. 

 They had made good meals for the family circle. Mr. Bell 

 also found that his specimens diminished in number from 

 the same cause. 



Their nests are constructed in spring and autumn, and 

 the winter is passed in them. 



An accident lately occurred at Mr. Lloyd^s establishment 



