FOOD OF INSECTS. 



are in the main accurate, and that a very good idea of 

 the weather may be formed from attending to these 

 insects. 



The spiders which form geometrical nets differ from 

 the weavers also with respect to the situation in which 

 they watch for their prey. They do not conceal them- 

 selves under their net, but are placed in the centre with 

 their head downwards, and retire to a little apartment 

 formed on one side under some leaf of a plant, only when 

 obliged by danger or the state of the weather. The mo- 

 ment an unfortunate fly or other insect touches the net, 

 the spider rushes towards it, seizes it with her fangs, and 

 if it be a small species at once carries it to her little cell, 

 and, having there at leisure sucked its juices, throws out 

 the carcase. If the insect be larger and struggle to escape, 

 with surprising address she envelops it with threads in 

 various directions, until both its wings and legs being 

 effectually fastened, she carries it off to her den. If the 

 captured insect be a bee or a large fly so strong that the 

 spider is sensible it is more than a match for her, she 

 never attempts to seize or even entangle it, but on the 

 contrary assists it to disengage itself, and often breaks off 

 that part of the net to which it hangs, content to be rid 

 of such an unmanageable intruder at any price. When 

 larger booty is plentiful, these spiders seem not to regard 

 smaller insects. I have observed them in autumn, when 

 their nets were almost covered with the Aphides which 

 filled the air, impatiently pulling them off and dropping 

 them untouched over the sides, as though irritated that 

 their meshes should be occupied with such insignificant 

 game. A species of spider described by Lister, (Epeira 

 conica^) more provident than its brethren, suspends its 



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