VI. SPIDER WEBS 



Material. — Some webs of the kind that look like wheels (orb webs). 

 Look for orb webs stretched between the limbs of bushes or on fences 

 or over windows. Catch the threads on a slate frame or on a hoop held 

 against them. Also catch a spider on another web of the same kind by 

 holding a box on one side of it, and the cover on the other, and bringing 

 the two together quickly. Put the spiders in bottles for examination. 



Observation. — In what directions do the threads 

 of the web run ? Are the threads spun around the 

 center in circles, or in spirals? Are any of the 

 threads stuck together ? Are any broken ? 



Touch one of the lines that run around the center. 

 Is it sticky ? Does it stretch ? Now try one of the 

 straight lines in the same way. What is the differ- 

 ence between the two lines ? By which set of lines 

 are insects caught ? 



How large are the spiders that make the webs ? 

 What is their color ? How many legs has a spider ? 

 Notice the divisions of a spider's body. Are they the 

 same as the divisions of a fly's body ? 



Drawing. — Draw a picture of the spider web. If 

 any of the threads sag, be sure that you draw them 

 sagging in the right direction. 



Composition. — Write a paragraph telling how 

 the threads of the spider web are arranged, a second 



40 



