UNCOMMON SPIDER. 203 



feet, which alone suspended it from one of the 

 threads, the insect spun itself round with so 

 much rapidity, as to become perfectly invisible. 

 This lasted for about half a minute, when I again 

 saw the spider hanging on* the thread by its two 

 feet. I could not but wonder how this rotatory 

 motion was produced, and continued so rapidly 

 each time I touched one of the threads. After 

 doing this several times, the spider appeared to 

 get weary, and retreated across the ceiling to some 

 distance. The body of the insect was small and 

 round, with rather longer legs than those we com- 

 monly find in houses. I have only discovered it 

 in two localities Hampton Court and East Moul- 

 sey ; in both of which places I have shewn its 

 spinning faculty to several persons. There can, I 

 think, be no doubt that this power of producing 

 instantaneous concealment must be the means of 

 preserving the spider from becoming a prey to its 

 many enemies, especially as it has no place to 

 which it can retreat as most other spiders have. 

 It has also another peculiarity, which is, that al- 

 though I have frequently touched, and otherwise 

 molested it, I never could induce it to do what all 

 of its kind will do under similar circumstances 

 let itself fall to the ground, and then endeavour to 

 escape. It seems to be fully aware that its safety 

 depends on the few fine threads it throws out, 

 and which it evidently left with reluctance. 



