Garden Spiders: Pairing and Hunting 



entangled prisoner. Guarding against sudden 

 starts, the Epeira casts her armfuls of bands 

 on the front- and hind-parts, over the legs and 

 over the wings, here, there and everywhere, 

 extravagantly. The most fiery prey is 

 promptly mastered under this avalanche. In 

 vain, the Mantis tries to open her saw-toothed 

 arm-guards; in vain, the Hornet makes play 

 with her dagger; in vain, the Beetle stiffens 

 his legs and arches his back: a fresh wave of 

 threads swoops down and paralyzes every 

 effort. 



These lavished, far-flung ribbons threaten 

 to exhaust the factory; it would be much more 

 economical to resort to the method of the 

 spool; but, to turn the machine, the Spider 

 would have to go up to it and work it with her 

 leg. This is too risky; and hence the contin- 

 ous spray of silk, at a safe distance. When 

 all is used up, there is more to come. 



Still, the Epeira seems concerned at this 

 excessive outlay. When circumstances permit, 

 she gladly returns to the mechanism of the 

 revolving spool. I saw her practise this 

 abrupt change of tactics on a big Beetle, with 

 a smooth, plump body, which lent itself 

 admirably to the rotary process. After de- 

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