250 



EVElylNGS AT THE MICROSCOPE. 



is sufficiently long, only strikes the tliread, the latter is 

 certain to slij) in between the bristles, and tlms to catch 

 the leg. But more precision than this is requisite ; es- 

 pecially when we observe with what delicacy of touch 

 the hinder feet are often used to guide the thread as it 

 issues from the spinnerets, and j)articularly wnth what 

 lightning-like rapidity the larger net-weavers will, with 

 the assistance of these feet, roll a dense web of silk 

 around the body of a helpless fly, swathing it up, like 

 an Egyptian mummy, in many folds of cloth, in an in- 

 stant." 



Look, then, at the extreme tip of the ultimate joint. 

 Two stout hooked claws of dark horny texture are seen 

 proceeding from it side by side, and a third of smaller 

 size, and more delicate in aj^pearance, is placed be- 

 tween them, and on a lower level. The former have 

 their under or concave surface set with teeth (eigh- 

 teen on each in this example,) very regularly cut, like 

 those of a comb, which are minute set the commence- 



CLA'WS OF SriDEK. 



ment of the series near the base of the claw, and gi*ad- 

 ually increase in length to the tip. Tliese are doubt- 

 less sensible organs of touch, feeling and catching the 

 thread ; and they, moreover, act as combs, cleansing 

 their limbs, and probably their webs, from the parti- 



