266 NATURE-STUDY REVIEW [11:6— Sept., 1915 



the basement the supports are the joists and window frames. 

 Some of the threads stretch from one joist to another, some from 

 the joist to the window frame. There are central points here 

 and there in the web where a ntimber of threads come together. 

 There are a great number of criss-cross strands which make an 

 irregular wall around a central space. Some of the threads seem 

 finer than others. The spider is hanging in the upper part of the 

 central cavity with back downward. A brownish gray ball is 

 hanging in the same part of the web. 



After the above facts are discussed and verified, further study is 

 suggested. Touch some of the threads which are stretched be- 

 tween the supports. Are they fastened firmly? Now put your 

 hand inside the central space and touch some of the fine threads. 

 What happens ? Test in the same way various threads in different 

 parts of the web. 



The following assignment is made for home observation: 

 Look in your basements, coal-sheds, attics, and other places that 

 you may think of for webs of the house-spider. Decide whether 

 or not they are all made on essentially the same plan as the one 

 you have just studied. Be ready to report anything new that 

 you may find in connection with the web. Capture one of the 

 spiders, placing it in a wide-mouthed bottle or clear glass with 

 a cover. Look at it carefully and be ready to tell all you can 

 about it. 



The next day brings interesting reports. The experiment with 

 the web brings out the fact that there are two kinds of silk — one 

 dry and firm; one sticky and elastic. The uses and value of the 

 two kinds are now discussed. Some children report that the 

 spiders are not always in the central room of the web, but often 

 in one corner. Some have found remains of flies and mosquitos. 

 Others report finding slender black beetles hanging from a thread 

 in the center of the web. 



The spiders are now taken up for discussion. Each child contri- 

 butes to the recitation by telling some fact that he has observed. 

 If a pupil mentions a point not noticed by the others, the spiders, 

 which the children have in glass jars, or bottles, are at once 

 examined to verify the truth of the statement. If all do not 

 agree in regard to some point, again the examination of the 

 spiders settles the question. The teacher suggests additional 

 observation, answers questions, and gives correct terms for 

 various parts and organs named. 



