304 ARTICULATA. ARACHNIDA. 



Strange to see, he manages to leap upon a perpen- 

 dicular surface with equal precision, returning to the 

 plane from which he started ; but this is effected by 

 means of a thread, which, before he leaped, he cun- 

 ningly attached to the surface. 



Argyroneta,* the Water-Spider. 



Forsaking the land, the sphere of action of its kin- 

 dred, the little animal before us presents the strange 

 paradox of a creature formed only to breathe air, re- 

 siding habitually under water. Admirable, indeed, 

 is the power and skill with which its beneficent Crea- 

 tor has endowed it for this purpose. He has taught 

 it to spin, beneath the surface of still water, a bell 

 of silk, firmly moored by threads to aquatic plants. 

 This it fills with air conveyed from the surface in the 

 following manner. It usually swims on its back, and 

 after coming to the surface, its body is enclosed in a 

 bubble of air, which it strangely retains in its pro- 

 gress, and which shines like a little ball of silver. 

 Entering the diving-bell, the Spider discharges this 

 air, and again comes to the surface for more, until 

 its house is filled with air. Here it watches for 

 water Insects, and even passes the winter, having 

 first closed up the mouth. 



FAM. II. SCORPIONID^:. SCORPIONS. 



Fortunately we have not the same familiarity with 

 this family as with the preceding ; no species of Scor- 



, argyros, silver, and via, neo, to swim. 



