246 AMERICAN SPIDERS AND THEIR SPINNINGWORK. 



possibilities of the spinningwork of those spiders. Seventh, that a series 

 of well and tolerably well authenticated cases, as well as observations of 

 the habitual prowess of spiders in taking and securing their prey, jus- 

 tify the inference that the capture of a mouse or garter snake lies 

 within the physical and mechanical abilities of both of the two species 

 above named. 



The space given the above facts may seem to some to be in undue 

 proportion to their importance. But, apart from the value of positively 



determining any point in natural history, the discussion has this 

 , . conclusion : The capture of small vertebrate animals by both 



Sendentary and Wandering spiders is possible ; the one by the 

 mechanical strength of their snares, the other by their physical strength. 

 There is thus laid the foundation, at least, for the presumption that such 

 animals may be or become natural food for the larger species of araneads. 

 This is certainly a most important fact in the life history of spiders, and 

 would greatly enlarge the range of their habits. 



