Pairing and Hunting 277 



economical to resort to the method of the spool ; 

 but, to turn the machine, the Spider would 

 have to go up to it and work it with her leg. 

 This is too risky ; and hence the continuous 

 spray of silk, at a safe distance. When all is 

 used up, there is more to come. 



Still, the Epeira seems concerned at this 

 excessive outlay. When circumstances permit, 

 she gladly returns to the mechanism of the 

 revolving spool. I saw her practise this abrupt 

 change of tactics on a big Beetle, with a smooth, 

 plump body, which lent itself admirably to the 

 rotary process. After depriving the beast of 

 all power of movement, she went up to it and 

 turned her corpulent victim as she would have 

 done with a medium-sized Moth. 



But with the Praying Mantis, sticking out 

 her long legs and her spreading wings, rotation 

 is no longer feasible. Then, until the quarry 

 is thoroughly subdued, the spray of bandages 

 goes on continuously, even to the point of 

 drying up the silk-glands. A capture of this 

 kind is ruinous. It is true that, except when 

 I interfered, I have never seen the Spider 

 tackle that formidable provender. 



