Chapter xi 



THE GARDEN SPIDERS: THE LIME-SNARE 



The spiral network of the Epeirae possesses 

 contrivances of fearsome cunning. Let us give 

 our attention by preference to that of the 

 Banded Epeira or that of the Silky Epeira, both 

 of which can be observed at early morning in 

 all their freshness. 



The thread that forms them is seen with the 

 naked eye to differ from that of the framework 

 and the spokes. It glitters in the sun, looks 

 as though it were knotted and gives the im- 

 pression of a chaplet of atoms. To examine 

 it through the lens on the web itself is scarcely 

 feasible, because of the shaking of the fabric, 

 which trembles at the least breath. By passing 

 a sheet of glass under the web and lifting it, I 

 take away a few pieces of thread to study, pieces 

 that remain fixed to the glass in parallel lines. 

 Lens and microscope can now play their part. 



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