254 T^h^ Life of the Spider 



take advantage of the windfall ? Never fear. 

 She arrives in a flash. How is she apprised ? 

 Let us explain the matter. 



The alarm is given by the vibration of the 

 web, much more than by the sight of the cap- 

 tured object. A very simple experiment will 

 prove this. I lay upon a Banded Epeira's lime- 

 threads a Locust that second asphyxiated with 

 carbon disulphide. The carcass is placed in front, 

 or behind, or at either side of the Spider, who 

 sits moveless in the centre of the net. If the 

 test is to be applied to a species with a daytime 

 hiding-place amid the foliage, the dead Locust 

 is laid on the web, more or less near the centre, 

 no matter how. 



In both cases, nothing happens at first. The 

 Epeira remains in her motionless attitude, even 

 when the morsel is at a short distance in front of 

 her. She is indifferent to the presence of the game, 

 does not seem to perceive it, so much so that 

 she ends by wearing out my patience. Then, 

 with a long straw, which enables me to conceal 

 myself slightly, I set the dead insect trembling. 



That is quite enough. The Banded Epeira 

 and the Silky Epeira hasten to the central 



