2l6 



HOUSE, GARDEN, AND FIELD 



and perforated by a fine canal. A separate thread issues 

 from each spinneret, but all are blended into a single 

 cord while still fluid, by the movements of the spinners. 

 It is only when she is attaching her thread to its support 

 that the spider allows the finest threads to come off 

 separately. She spreads these over the 

 supporting surface, in order to get a firm 

 attachment by means of a multitude of 

 distinct fibres. The hind legs are often 

 employed to guide the thread as it is 

 paid out. In certain spiders different 

 spinners secrete different kinds of silk, 

 but no such distinction has been re- 

 marked in the case of the house spider. 

 Both male and female house spiders 

 spin webs, and feed upon the insects 

 captured thereby, but only the females 

 construct nests. Male spiders are of 

 lighter build, with relatively long legs, 

 and are more active and more inclined 

 to roam during the breeding season 

 than the females. In spiders generally 

 the colours of the male are darker 

 and the spots less defined than in the 

 female. 



The spiders called Ciniflo, which are 

 not uncommon in houses, have a comb 

 of longish hairs on the last joint but 

 one of each hind leg. The spinning apparatus is more 

 complex than in any other spider, new and peculiar 

 perforated plates being added to the three pairs of 

 spinners; from these plates the comb, by a rapid vibra- 

 tory movement, draws out innumerable threads at once. 

 The curled silk thus produced is used to strengthen the 

 web, and also to make the egg-cocoon. 



House spiders now and then eat parts of their own webs, 

 and it is supposed that they do so when pressed by hunger. 



FIG. 48. Extremity 

 of hind leg of Ciniflo, 

 showing comb (on last 

 joint but one), and 

 claws. 



