180 SPIDER'S FOOT 



Spider's Foot. 



The Spider's foot always excites the admira- 

 tion of every one who watches it attentively 

 as it is employed by the spider in its many 

 operations. 



It is constructed upon a very curious plan, 

 and is evidently adapted for a variety of duties, 

 reminding one of the American tool that can 

 be utilised for six or seven other tools as 

 necessity arises. But its chief functions appear 

 to be connected with those of the spinnerets, 

 when it renders admirable service in 'rope- 

 drawing ' and guiding. 



The foot has three strong, horny claws; on 

 the largest of these there are eighteen teeth like 

 those of a comb, while fifteen appear on the 

 next claw and three or four on the smallest. 

 These are quite distinctly seen on the original 

 photographic plate. Doubtless with this appa- 

 ratus the spider can regulate the rate of issue 

 of the filaments as they proceed from the spin- 

 nerets. The use of the word c spinneret ' is 

 unfortunate, as the spider does not spin. 



