RAFT SPIDERS. 



243 



species ; but ID stead of living beneath the water, it only makes 

 a temporary and moveable residence on the surface of fens and 

 marshes. 



Not content with chasing insects on land, it follows them in 

 the water, on the surface of which it can run freely. It needs, 

 however, a resting-place, and to supply this want it has been 

 taught by instinct to form a kind of raft, by collecting a quan- 

 tity of dry leaves and similar substances, which it fastens with 

 silken threads. Here it sits, and allows itself to be blown about 

 the water by the wind, ever ready to seize the first aquatic 

 insect that comes within its reach, or to pounce with the rapidity 



%'* .- 



The Raft Spider. 



of lightning upon some unfortunate moth or beetle that has 

 fallen into the water, and vainly endeavours to extricate its 

 wings from the uncongenial element. It can even descend 

 below the surface by crawling down the stems of aquatic plants, 

 and this capability of existing some time beneath the water is 

 often the means of saving its life ; for when it sees an enemy 

 approaching it quietly slips under the raft, and remains con- 

 cealed until the danger has passed. 



Thus we find the spiders uniting every mode of attack or 

 variety of warfare the bold onslaught of the lion, the tiger's 



R2 



