Spiders. 549 



in its formation. It consists of a number of stout threads 

 radiating from the centre to various objects in the neigh- 

 bourhood, and crossed by a great quantity of finer threads 

 arranged in a close spiral, so as to produce the impres- 

 sion of a number of concentric circles. These fine threads 

 are braided and glutinous, so that any unfortunate fly 

 that comes in contact with them adheres readily : 



" The Spider's touch, how exquisitely fine I 

 Feels at each thread, and lives along the line." POPE. 



The Spider sits in the middle, and at the least motion 

 caused by a fly or other insect pressing against it, rushes 

 on his prey, and sucks its juices ; if, however, it should 

 appear at all formidable, the Spider carefully encloses it 

 in a shrond of web, which, of course, quite disables it ; 

 and then feasts on it at his convenience. The most diffi- 

 cult part of the business is to eject the remains, which 

 is often attended with great detriment to the net. The 

 female generally lays from nine hundred to a thousand 

 eggs, which are contained in a kind of bag, and thus an 

 immense number of Spiders are hatched every year, 

 which would soon become troublesome from their num- 

 bers, if they were not kept in check by the numerous 

 birds which prey upon them. The silk which the Spider 

 produces is not strong enough to be employed for any 

 useful purposes, though, out of curiosity, gloves and stock- 

 ings have been woven out of it. A great difficulty, 

 however, arises in the pugnacious habits of Spiders, as, 

 when a number of them are kept together, they fight so 

 dreadfully, that in a short time only a very few are left 

 alive ; and a great number would be required, as twelve 

 Spiders do not produce so much silk as a single silk- 

 worm. Spiders resemble the Crustacea in having the 

 power of reproducing the legs which they lose. 



THE HOUSE SPIDEE, (Tegenaria domestica,) 



Is a very diiferent species from the Garden Spider. It 

 dwells in the dark corners of houses and outbuildings, 

 forming, a dingy web of irregular threads, all of which 

 communicate with a concealed chamber or den in which 

 the Spider lurks. 



