Spiders. 



391 



which is in my own collection. It was brought from Jamaica, 

 together with the spider that made it 



[The nest is nearly six inches in 

 length, and is made of a double layer 

 of silken web. The inner layer is yel- 

 lowish, with a tinge of red, and although 

 fine, very tough and strong. The outer 

 layer is thick, coarse, dark brown, and 

 rather flaky, the dark colour being 

 probably caused by the earth which is 

 mixed with it. The lid is made of 

 eight or ten layers of coarse web, over- 

 lapping each other like the tiles of a 

 house- roof, and the entrance of the nest 

 is formed after the same fashion. If 

 the lid be opened, the inside of the nest 

 is seen to be of a different make from 

 the exterior, being greyish-white, 

 smooth, close-textured, and looking 

 much like the finest kid leather. 



[The smaller illustration shows the 

 spider in the act of emerging from its 

 home.] 



" The Rev. Eevett Shepherd has often 

 noticed, in the fen ditches of Norfolk, 

 .a very large spider (the species not yet 

 determined) which actually forms a raft for the purpose of 

 obtaining its prey with more facility. Keeping its station 

 upon a ball of weeds about three inches in diameter, probably 

 held together by slight silken cords, it is wafted along the 

 surface of the water upon this floating island, which it quits 

 the moment it sees a drowning insect. The booty thus seized 

 it devours at leisure upon its raft, under which it retires 

 when alarmed by any danger."* In the spring of 1830, we 

 found a spider on some reeds in the Croydon Canal, which 

 agreed in appearance with Mr. Shepherd's. 

 * Kirby and Spence, Intr. i. 425. 



