The Banded Epeira 55 



Then the spinnerets take a rest and the turn 

 of the ovaries comes. A continuous shower of 

 eggs falls into the bag, which is filled to the 

 top. The capacity of the receptacle has been 

 so nicely calculated that there is room for all 

 the eggs, without leaving any space unoccupied. 

 When the Spider has finished and retires, I 

 catch a momentary glimpse of the heap of 

 orange-coloured eggs ; but the work of the 

 spinnerets is at once resumed. 



The next business is to close the bag. The 

 machinery works a little differently. The tip 

 of the belly no longer sways from side to side. 

 It sinks and touches a point ; it retreats, sinks 

 again and touches another point, first here, 

 then there, describing inextricable zigzags. At 

 the same time, the hind-legs tread the material 

 emitted. The result is no longer a stuff, but a 

 felt, a blanketing. 



Around the satin capsule, which contains the 

 eggs, is the eiderdown destined to keep out the 

 cold. The youngsters will bide for some time 

 in this soft shelter, to strengthen their joints 

 and prepare for the final exodus. It does not 

 take long to make. The spinning-mill suddenly 



