The Banded Epeira 45 



radiate at equal intervals from a central point. 

 Over this framework runs a continuous spiral 

 thread, forming chords, or crossbars, from the 

 centre to the circumference. It is magnificently 

 large and magnificently symmetrical. 



In the lower part of the web, starting from 

 the centre, a wide opaque ribbon descends 

 zigzag-wise across the radii. This is the Epeira's 

 trade-mark, the flourish of an artist initialling 

 his creation. ' Fecit So-and-so,' she seems to 

 say, when giving the last throw of the shuttle 

 to her handiwork. 



That the Spider feels satisfied when, after 

 passing and repassing from spoke to spoke, she 

 finishes hei' spiral, is beyond a doubt : the 

 work achieved ensures her food for a few days 

 to come. But, in this particular case, the 

 vanity of the spinstress has naught to say to 

 the matter : the strong silk zigzag is added to 

 impart greater firmness to the web. 



Increased resistance is not superfluous, for 

 the net is sometimes exposed to severe tests. 

 The Epeira cannot pick and choose her prizes. 

 Seated motionless in the centre of her web, her 

 eight legs widespread to feel the shaking of the 



