FLYING SPIDERS. 321 



caused by the deposition on the thread of the moisture 

 which is floating in the air, and which may be seen on 

 the threads as I have described, glittering like rows of 

 gems. 



The reason for these aerial excursions is not very 

 well ascertained, but, in all probability, food has some- 

 thing to do with it, as if the threads be intercepted 

 while in the air, and carefully examined, they will often 

 be found to have captured very minute insects, which 

 have adhered to their viscid surface. These insects 

 are so small that they are scarcely visible to the naked 

 eye, and would, in all probability, not be captured in 

 any other way. In size they are very suitable to their 

 captor, who is seldom larger than the tiny spiders 

 which are popularly called money-spinners, and which 

 are thought by some persons to bring good luck to 

 those on whom they may happen to settle. 



A very good account of the Gossamer Spiders and 

 of their flight, may be found in Mr. Blackwall's splendid 

 work on the British Spiders. 



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