204 The Life of the Spider 



of the captured prey. On the other hand, the 

 adults' net, which is formed of stouter threads, 

 is adapted to last some time ; and the Epeira 

 gives it a more carefully-constructed frame-work, 

 as we shall see elsewhere. 



A special thread, the foundation of the real 

 net, is stretched across the area so capriciously 

 circumscribed. It is distinguished from the 

 others by its isolation, its position at a distance 

 from any twig that might interfere with its 

 swaying length. It never fails to have, in the 

 middle, a thick white point, formed of a little 

 silk cushion. This is the beacon that marks the 

 centre of the future edifice, the post that will 

 guide the Epeira and bring order into the wilder- 

 ness of twists and turns. 



The time has come to weave the hunting-snare. 

 The Spider starts from the centre, which bears 

 the white sign-post, and, running along the 

 transversal thread, hurriedly reaches the circum- 

 ference, that is to say, the irregular frame 

 enclosing the free space. Still with the same 

 sudden movement, she rushes from the circum- 

 ference to the centre ; she starts again back- 

 wards and forwards, makes for the right, the 



