THE SPIDER. 119 



Cunning \n entangling flies. 



by the assistance of which it adheres to the 

 threads of its web. There are two others larger, 

 which meet together like a lobster's claw, by 

 which they can catch hold of the smallest de- 

 pressions, walking up or down the very polished 

 surfaces, on which they can find inequalities that 

 are imperceptible to our grosser sight ; but when 

 they walk upon such bodies as are perfectly 

 smooth, as looking-glass, or polished marble, 

 they squeeze a little sponge which grows near 

 the extremity of their claws, and thus diffusing a 

 glutinous substance, adhere to the surface until 

 they make a second step. Besides the eight legs 

 just mentioned, these animals have two others, 

 which may more properly be called arms, as they 

 do not serve to assist motion, but are used in 

 holding and managing their prey. See figure 5 

 in the plate of insects. 



The spider, though thus formidably equipped, 

 would seldom prove successful in its captures, 

 were it not equally furnished with other instru- 

 ments to assist its depredations. It is a most 

 experienced hunter, and spreads its nets to catch 

 such animals as it is unable to pursue. The 

 house spider feeds principally on flies, and the 

 web by which they are enabled to entangle these 

 insects, is generally laid in those places where 

 flies are most apt to come and shelter ; and there 

 this little animal remains for days, nay weeks 

 together, in patient expectation, seldom chang- 

 ing its situation though ever so unsuccessful. 



