SProEES AXD MITES. 243 



" Tlie Cursores^ Saltatorcs^ and Laterigradai^ make 

 110 webs : the first catcli their prej by s-svift pursuit ; 

 the second spring upon their prey by insidious and 

 agile leaj^s ; the third run, crab-like, sideways or back- 

 wards, and occasionally throw out adhesive threads to 

 entrap their prey. The Latebricolce hide in burrows 

 in fissures, ivhich they line with a web. The Tiibicolca 

 inclose themselv^es in a silken tube, strengthened ex- 

 ternally by leaves or other foreign substances. The 

 NiditelcB weave a nest whence issue threads to entrap 

 their prey. The Filitelce are remarkable for the long 

 threads of silk which they spread about in the places 

 where they prowl in quest of prey. The LapitelcB spin 

 great webs of a close texture, like hammocks, and M'ait 

 for the insects that may be entangled therein. Tlie 

 Oi'hitelm spread abroad webs of a regular and oj>en 

 texture, either circular or spiral, and remain in the 

 middle, or on one side, in readiness to spring upon an 

 entangled insect. The JRetitelcB spin webs of an open 

 mesh- work and of an irregular form, and remain in the 

 middle or on one side, to seize their prey. Lastly, the 

 AquitelcB spread their silken filaments under water, to 

 entrap aquatic insects. 



" The silken secretion of Spiders is not applied only 

 to the formation of a warm and comfortable dwelling 

 for themselves, or of a trap for their prey ; it is often 

 employed to master the struggles of a resisting insect, 

 which is bound round by an extemporary filament, 

 spun for the occasion, as by a strong cord. It forms 

 the aeronautic filament of the young migratory brood. 

 It serves to attach the moulting Jlydrachna to an 

 aquatic plant by the anterior part of the body, when it 

 struggles to withdraw itself from its exuvium. Lastly, 



