WATER SPIDERS. 263 



again. This I have seen it do several times in succes- 

 sion. 



During the earlier part of the year the Water spider 

 makes many of these temporary reservoirs, but when 

 the time comes for egg-laying she sets herself earnestly 

 to work. 



Using the threads already mentioned as a sort of 

 scaffolding, she spins among them a silken cocoon about 

 as large as an acorn, and very much of the same shape. 

 The mouth of this cell is always downwards, and is left 

 open. As the spider proceeds with her work, she con- 

 tinues to bring it into the cocoon, so that before long 

 she has made a sub-aquatic habitation exactly on the 

 principle of the diving-bell. 



She then takes up her abode within the cell, and 

 fixes about a hundred spherical eggs upon the roof, if we 

 may so call it, covering them with a layer of web, so as 

 to make a separate, saucer-shaped cocoon within the 

 dwelling. Here the young spiders are hatched, and, as 

 is usual with the whole tribe of spiders, the mother 

 waits upon her young and takes care of them until they 

 can go into the water and shift for themselves. 



It is as well to supply captive Water spiders with 

 flies or similar food, as, although all spiders can endure a 

 marvellously long fast, they cannot display their power 

 to the best advantage unless they are well fed. 



