2o8 The Life of the Spider 



tottering on threads shaken by the wind, effect 

 the deUcate division without stopping to think. 

 They achieve it by a method which seems mad 

 according to our notions of geometry. Out of 

 disorder they evolve order. 



We must not, however, give them more than 

 their due. The angles are only approximately 

 equal ; they satisfy the demands of the eye, 

 but cannot stand the test of strict measure- 

 ment. Mathematical precision would be super- 

 fluous here. No matter, we are amazed at the 

 result obtained. How does the Epeira come to 

 succeed with her difficult problem, so strangely 

 managed ? I am still asking myself the question. 



The laying of the radii is finished. The Spider 

 takes her place in the centre, on the little cushion 

 formed of the inaugural sign-post and the bits of 

 thread left over. Stationed on this support, she 

 slowly turns round and round. She is engaged 

 on a delicate piece of work. With an extremely 

 thin thread, she describes from spoke to spoke, 

 starting from the centre, a spiral line with very 

 close coils. The central space thus worked 

 attains, in the adults' webs, the dimensions of 

 the palm of one's hand ; in the younger Spiders' 



