62 Objects for the Microscope. 



because the Spider secretes a viscid matter, which she 

 deposits in little globules all along each circle, and which 

 acts as bird-lime in securing the prey. In one web of 

 moderate size not less than 87,360 of these globules have 

 been counted ; and yet the time occupied in its whole 

 construction was only about forty minutes. 



I often think that invalids, or mechanics, or town-people, 

 who cannot enjoy many of our country pleasures, or learn 

 God's wonderful ways in the instinct He has bestowed upon 

 our humble fellow-creatures, might find much profit, much 

 amusement, if they only knew a little more about the flies 

 on their window-pane, and the spiders on the wall. And 

 those careful housewives who so diligently sweep away this 

 beautiful work, might leave just one sometimes, as a little 

 page from God's Book of Creation, which, if rightly studied, 

 would lead to happier thoughts than come with the over- 

 carefulness about household matters. 



I have said already that the eye of a Spider is of a higher 

 type than the compound eye of insects. It has a single 

 arched cornea, a spherical lens, and a concave vitreous body, 

 with a cup-shaped retina and a layer of pigment cor- 

 responding to the choroid membrane of the animal eye. It 

 shines in the dark like a cat's eye, and evidently can see in 

 the night as in the day. This is very remarkable, and de- 

 notes higher organization .than we find even in the aggregate 

 lens of a Butterfly's eye. 



The position of these eyes for the Spider has six or 

 eight is admirably varied for their different habits and 

 pursuits. 



The Garden Spider, Epeira, has two very large red ones in 

 front and two behind, forming a square ; two on each side 

 almost confluent. 



The House Spider has a double row of four each arching 

 the forehead. 



The Hunters have two fierce large eyes in front, four 

 little ones just beneath, and two some distance behind, like 

 watchmen or an " arriere-garde." Whilst the common 



