THE RAFT SPIDER. 613 



ing more upon the dimensions of the body than the length of 

 the limbs. It is a remarkably handsome spider, its general color 

 being chocolate-brown, and a broad orange band being drawn so 

 as to mark the outline of the abdomen and thorax. There is a 

 double row of small white spots upon the surface of the abdomen, 

 and a number of short dark transverse bars give variety to the 

 coloring. The limbs are pale red. 



This creature belongs to that group of spiders which do not 

 live in a web, and wait for casual insects, but which chase their 

 prey after the manner of carnivorous vertebrates. Indeed, it may 

 fairly be said to belong to the large group of wolf spiders, and is 

 nearly allied to them. 



The Eaft Spider is only to be found in fenny or marshy places, 

 and is mostly seen in the fens of Cambridgeshire, where its re- 

 markable habits have long been known. Not content with chas- 

 ing insects on land, it follows them in the water, on the surface 

 of which it can run freely. It needs, however, a resting-place, 

 and forms one by getting together a quantity of dry leaves and 

 similar substances, which it gathers into a rough ball, and fastens 

 with silken threads. On this ball the Spider sits, and allows it- 

 self to be blown about the water by the wind. Apparently it has 

 no means of directing its course, but suffers its raft to traverse the 

 surface as the wind or current may carry it. 



There is no lack of prey, for the aquatic insects are constantly 

 coming up to breathe the air; and although they may only re- 

 main on the surface for a second or two, the Spider can seize them 

 before they can gain the safe refuge of the deeper water. Then 

 there are insects, such as the gnat, which attain their wings on the 

 surface of the water, and can be taken by the Spider before they 

 have gained strength for flight. Also, there are insects which 

 habitually traverse the water in search of prey, and which are 

 themselves seized by the more powerful and equally voracious 

 Spider. More than this, moths, flies, beetles, and other insects are 

 continually falling into the water, and these afford the easiest prey 

 to the Eaft Spider, who pounces upon them as they vainly strug- 

 gle to regain the air, and then carries them back to its raft, there 

 to devour them in peace. 



The Spider does not merely sit upon the raft, and there capture 

 any prey that may happen to come within reach, but when it sees 

 an insect upon the surface, it leaves the raft, runs swiftly over the 

 water, secures its prey, and brings it back to the raft. It can even 



