200 The Life of the Spider 



tional science : it is built up of trifles patiently 

 gathered together. And, while the collecting 

 of these trifles means that the student of 

 Spider industry must not be chary of his time, 

 at least it involves no distant and speculative 

 research. The smallest garden contains Epeirae, 

 all accomplished weavers. 



In my enclosure, which I have stocked care- 

 fully with the most famous breeds, I have six 

 different species under observation, all of a 

 useful size, all first-class spinners. Their names 

 are the Banded Epeira (Epeirafasciata, Walck.), 

 the Silky Epeira [E. sericea, Walck,), the Angu- 

 lar Epeira (E. angulata, Walck.), the Pale- tinted 

 Epeira [E. pallida, Oliv.), the Diadem Epeira, 

 or Cross Spider (E. diadema, Clerk.), and the 

 Crater Epeira (E. cratera, Walck.). 



I am able, at the proper hours, all through the 

 fine season, to question them, to watch them at 

 work, now this one, anon that, according to the 

 chances of the day. What I did not see very 

 plainly yesterday I can see the next day, under 

 better conditions, and on any of the following 

 days, until the phenomenon under observation 

 is revealed in all clearness. 



