i5o OUR INSECT FRIENDS AND FOES 



of a number of stout radiating lines, running 

 from a common centre to a series of slightly 

 stronger lines stretched between the various 

 points of attachment, and crossed by a series 

 of fine short lines which are woven in the form 

 of a spiral starting from the centre and con- 

 tinued to the outer margin of the web. When 

 starting to built its snare, the Spider first of all 

 forms the outermost or foundation lines, which 

 are attached to various accessible points on the 

 surrounding foliage, bridging over the inter- 

 vening spaces by emitting a thread from its 

 spinnerets and allowing it to be wafted to the 

 nearest point of attachment by the wind. These 

 foundation lines having been made strong and 

 secure, the Spider next proceeds to weave and 

 stretch tightly between them the radiating lines, 

 which are all joined at the centre of the web. 

 Then, finally, she proceeds to spin the delicate 

 cross threads, starting from the centre and 

 working in a spiral to the outer edge of the web. 

 These threads forming the spiral differ entirely 

 in character to the stouter lines forming the 

 framework, for they consist of a slender silk 

 thread covered with minute beads of a viscous 

 substance, and it is these sticky threads that 

 entangle and hold any unfortunate insect that 

 blunders into the web. Few objects are more 

 beautiful than one of these webs, as seen in the 

 early sunlight of an autumn morning, bejewelled 

 with dew-drops which sparkle and flash back all 

 the prismatic hues of the rainbow. One must be 

 out early, however, to see this beautiful display, 

 for long before the dew has evaporated from 



