SPIDERS. 465 



booklets and bristles to such parts of tbe body and mantle 

 as give a secure lodgment ; tbey look like little tufts of 

 thread hanging from the sides of the animal. l 



ARACHNIDA, Spiders. The Diadem (Epeira diadema) is 

 one of the largest of the British species of Garden Spiders, 

 very readily recognised by the beautiful little gem-like marks 

 on its body and legs. Spiders abound on every shrub ; and 

 if we consider that the Spider is destitute of a distinct 

 head, without horns, one-half of its body attached to the 

 other by a very slender connection, and so soft as not tQ 



\ 



Fig. 230. Epeira diadema, Garden Spider. 



bear the least pressure, its limbs so slightly attached to 

 its body that they fall off at a very slight touch, it ap- 

 pears ill-adapted, either to escape the many dangers which 

 threaten it on all sides, or to supply itself with food ; and 



(1) A very interesting account of the parasite tribes is given in Rheidi's 

 Trea tise de Genera Hone Insectorum, and in H. Denny's MonograpMa Anopluro- 

 ram Britannice. Bonn: London, 1842. 



H H 



