2>ecembei 4 209 



it is called zebra, from its lovely stripes and 

 markings. 



In pine trees we may find a spider of the most 

 vivid green colour weaving small webs to entrap 

 flies, and in some hidden corner it places a little 

 mass of brilliant yellow silk which contains its 

 precious store of eggs. 



On the surface of ponds spiders may be seen 

 running swiftly to and fro. One species elects to 

 reside upon a floating leaf, and on this little raft 

 it must lead rather a precarious life driven about with 

 every gust of wind. 



The most curious of the aquatic spiders is the 

 one which dives below the surface, carrying with 

 it a supply of air, with which it fills a silken bag 

 it has woven amongst the weeds growing at the 

 bottom of the pond. In this small balloon it lives 

 its hidden life, preying upon small water insects, 

 only going up to the surface now and again in order 

 to renew its supply of needful air. 



In summer we may see thousands of dark brown 

 wolf spiders, each carrying a snow-white ball of 

 eggs beneath its body, as it threads its way amongst 

 the grass stubble where the hay has been cut and 

 carried. 



Even the air has its tenants from this ubi- 

 quitous tribe, for in autumn we may often see 

 the tiny gossamer spider being wafted along with 

 its trail of silken web floating past in the soft 

 breeze. 



All these creatures doubtless have their uses, and 

 each performs some needful part in the economy 

 of nature. 



