The Lime-Snare 249 



The twisted shape has by this time disappeared ; 

 and the channel of the thread reveals a chaplet 

 of translucent orbs, that is to say, a series of 

 extremely fine drops. 



In twenty-four hours, the threads have lost 

 their contents and are reduced to almost in- 

 visible streaks. If I then lay a drop of water on 

 the glass, I get a sticky solution, similar to that 

 which a particle of gum arable might yield. 

 The conclusion is evident : the Epeira's glue is 

 a substance that absorbs moisture freely. In 

 an atmosphere with a high degree of humidity, 

 it becomes saturated and percolates by sweating 

 through the side of the tubular threads. 



These data explain certain facts relating to 

 the work of the net. The full-grown Banded 

 and Silky Epeirae weave at very early hours, 

 long before dawn. Should the air turn misty, 

 they sometimes leave that part of the task 

 unfinished : they build the general framework, 

 they lay the spokes, they even draw the auxili- 

 ary spiral, for all these parts are unaffected by 

 excess of moisture ; but they are very careful 

 not to work at the lime-threads, which, if soaked 

 by the fog, would dissolve into sticky shreds 



