The Banded Epeira 57 



without giving it, each time, until the end of 

 the work, a certain added solidity, necessary 

 to secure the stability of the balloon. The 

 suspensory indentations soon outline a crater 

 which needs plugging. The Spider closes the 

 bag with a padded stopper similar to that 

 with which she sealed the egg-pocket. 



When these arrangements are made, the real 

 manufacture of the wrapper begins. The Spider 

 goes backwards and forwards, turns and turns 

 again. The spinnerets do not touch the fabric. 

 With a rhythmical, alternate movement, the 

 hind-legs, the sole implements employed, draw 

 the thread, seize it in their combs and apply it 

 to the work, while the tip of the abdomen sways 

 methodically to and fro. 



In this way, the silken fibre is distributed in 

 an even zigzag, of almost geometrical precision 

 and comparable with that of the cotton thread 

 which the machines in our factories roll so neatly 

 into balls. And this is repeated all over the 

 surface of the work, for the Spider shifts her 

 position a little at every moment. 



At fairly frequent intervals, the tip of the 

 abdomen is lifted to the mouth of the balloon ; 



