Spiders. 



387 



simple, but in form of a Y, giving her the additional security 

 of two attachments instead of one. 



In constructing the body of the net, the most remarkable 

 circumstance is her using her limbs as a measure, to regulate 

 the distances of her radii or wheel-spokes, and the circular 

 meshes interweaved into them. These are consequently 

 always proportional to the size of the spider. She often 



Geometric Net of Epeira diadema. 



takes up her station in the centre, but not always, though it 

 is so said by inaccurate writers ; for she as frequently lurks 

 in a little chamber constructed under a leaf or other shelter 

 at the corner of her web, ready to dart down upon whatever 

 prey may be entangled in her net. The centre of the net is 

 said also to be composed of more viscid materials than its 

 suspensory lines, a circumstance alleged to bo proved by 

 the former appearing under the microscope studded with 



