1 84 The Naturalist in La Plata. 



with a curious modification of structure abounds on 

 the pampas. The long leg of this spider is no 

 thicker than a bristle from a pig's back, but at the 

 extremity it is flattened and broad, giving it a 

 striking resemblance to an oar. These spiders are 

 only found in herbage overhanging the borders of 

 streams : they are very numerous, and, having a 

 pugnacious temper, are incessantly quarrelling ; and 

 it frequently happens that in these encounters, or 

 where they are pursuing each other through the 

 leaves, they drop into the water below. I believe, 

 in fact, that they often drop themselves purposely 

 into it as the readiest means of escape when hard 

 pressed. When this happens, the advantage of the 

 modified structure of the legs is seen. The fallen 

 spider, sitting boat-like on the surface, throws out 

 its long legs, and, dipping the broad ends into the 

 water, literally rows itself rapidly to land. 



The gossamer-spider, most spiritual of living things, 

 of which there are numerous species, some extremely 

 beautiful in colouring and markings, is the most 

 numerous of our spiders. Only when the declining 

 sun flings a broad track of shiny silver light on the 

 plain does one get some faint conception of the un- 

 numbered millions of these buoyant little creatures 

 busy weaving their gauzy veil over the earth and 

 floating unseen, like an ethereal vital dust, in the 

 atmosphere. 



This spider carries within its diminutive abdomen 

 a secret which will possibly serve to vex subtle 

 intellects for a long time to come ; for it is hard 

 to believe that merely by mechanical force, even aided 

 by currents of air, a creature half as big as a barley 



