THE D1ADEMA SPIDER. 131 



Description. 



multitude of these insects extending their threads, 

 that the fields appear as if covered with swarms 

 of gnats. 



Several of the single threads become twisted 

 together by the gentlest breath of wind, and 

 form perceptible threads, which, being broken by 

 stronger winds, unite into thick threads, or even 

 into balls, and float through the atmosphere. 

 These are then called, in Germany, the Flying 

 Summer, because the summer seems to fly away 

 at the same time. The spiders are conveyed in 

 them ; but it is not uncommon to find spiders of 

 other species in them, which have been entan- 

 gled and dragged away ; and even the webs of 

 other spiders, and the dried husks of insects that 

 have been caught by them, are often found ia 

 the gossamer. 



Gossamer spiders appear in swarms only du- 

 ring the harvest, but single spiders are to be 

 found through the whole summer. 



The diadema is the largest spider this country 

 produces; the abdomen is of an oval form, 

 downy, and of a ruddy yellow color, which is 

 very variable in different seasons, being some- 

 times paler, and at others very dark colored ; 

 the upper part is beautifully adorned with black 

 and white circles and dots, so arranged as to re- 

 semble a fillet, similar to those worn by the east- 

 ern kings ; the ground upon which this fillet and 

 the white dots are laid, when viewed with a 

 glass, and the sun shining thereon, is beautifuj 



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