Building the IVeb 211 



The sharp corners have now been filled with 

 frets on every side ; the time has come to work 

 at the essential part, the snaring-web for which 

 all the rest is but a support. Clinging on the 

 one hand to the radii, on the other to the chords 

 of the auxiliary spiral, the Epeira covers the 

 same ground as when laying the spiral, but in the 

 opposite direction : formerly, she moved away 

 from the centre ; now she moves towards it and 

 with closer and more numerous circles. She 

 starts from the base of the auxiliary spiral, near 

 the frame. 



What follows is difficult to observe, for the 

 movements are very quick and spasmodic, con- 

 sisting of a series of sudden little rushes, sways 

 and bends that bewilder the eye. It needs 

 continuous attention and repeated examina- 

 tion to distinguish the progress of the work 

 however slightly. 



The two hind-legs, the weaving implements, 

 keep going constantly. Let us name them 

 according to their position on the work-floor. 

 I call the leg that faces the centre of the coil, 

 when the animal moves, the * inner leg ; ' the 

 one outside the coil the ' outer leg.' 



