LIFE IN THE INSECT WORLD. 205 



until it reached the point where she wished to 

 attach it. 



Renee has given a good description of the 

 commencement of the web. The spider com- 

 pletes it by spinning a multitude of threads in 

 various directions, until she has formed a gauze- 

 like texture, which is strong, light, and elastic. 



One species makes a sly little nest in the back 

 part of the web, or at a short distance from it, 

 into which she may retire and conceal herself 

 from observation while waiting for her prey. 

 But as if to save herself the trouble of watching 

 constantly at the entrance, she fastens a thread 

 to some convenient part of the web, and carries 

 the other end with her into the nest ; and then 

 woe to the poor fly that may chance to become 

 entangled ! for the moment it finds itself fast, it 

 struggles to free itself; this shakes the web, and 

 of course the little thread which the spider holds. 

 She feels it, darts out, binds its feet together with 

 her web, and sometimes wraps it up in it entire- 

 ly, carries it into her nest, and devours it at her 

 leisure. 



It may appear to you strange, and perhaps 

 cruel, that insects should be thus directed by 

 18* 



