250 



AMERICAN SPIDERS AND THEIR SPINNINGWORK. 



with wings full spread, as represented at Fig. 224, and the whole under sur- 

 face of the body will be first stuck to the spirals. At other times, as at 

 Fig. 225, the feet will be seen gathered together in a little cluster, adher- 

 ing at one point to the spirals. Several or all of these positions have 

 been illustrated in the figures, accurately rendered from nature. A mo- 

 mentary entanglement is all that is required, for the spider is upon its 

 victim ere it can succeed in releasing itself. 



The mode of dealing with the entrapped insect when it is reached is 



FIG. 228. Argiope swathing a captured fly by a jet of silken filaments. 



not always the same. Sometimes it is immediately seized and carried to 

 the hub or den to be fed upon, the spider striding with it in her 

 Treat " jaws over the lines of her orb. Occasionally the insect will be 

 Insects struck with the fangs, and the spider retreat instantly to await 

 the effects of the stroke. This action may be repeated. At other 

 times, several sharp squeezes of the fangs are given, as though to de- 

 stroy the insect's life. 



In the act of seizing a mosquito, an Epeira vertebrata was observed 

 holding to the spiral lines with one hind foot, so that her operations 

 might be unimpeded by contact with the viscid beads. The little cords by 

 which she was thus held aloof were the shape of a pyramid, whose apex 

 was within the claws of the spider. More commonly the victim is seized 

 with the claws of the two fore pairs of legs. These are so long that they 

 can be stretched out well forward of the spider's body, and grasp the in- 

 sect without much danger. 



