The Life of the Spider 



anatomical peculiarities. Each group builds 

 according to the same set of principles, con- 

 forming to the laws of a very elementary 

 system of aesthetics; but often circumstances 

 beyond the architect's control the space at 

 her disposal, the unevenness of the site, the 

 nature of the material and other accidental 

 causes interfere with the worker's plans and 

 disturb the structure. Then virtual regularity 

 is translated into actual chaos; order degen- 

 erates into disorder. 



We might discover an interesting subject of 

 research in the type adopted by each species 

 when the work is accomplished without hin- 

 drances. The Banded Epeira weaves the wal- 

 let of her eggs in the open, on a slim branch 

 that does not get in her way ; and her work is a 

 superbly artistic jar. The Silky Epeira also 

 has all the elbow-room she needs; and her 

 paraboloid is not without elegance. Can the 

 Labyrinth Spider, that other spinstress of ac- 

 complished merit, be ignorant of the precepts 

 of beauty when the time comes for her to 

 weave a tent for her offspring? As yet, what 

 I have seen of her work is but an unsightly 

 bundle. Is that all she can do ? 



I look for better things if circumstances 

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