SPIDERS. 145 



When frightened, the little spider either feigns death or suddenly drops to the 

 ground. The web of another species of Epeira, which is generally placed 

 among the great leaves of the Agave, is sometimes strengthened near the 

 centre by two or even four zigzag ribands, which connect two adjoining rays. 

 When any large insect, as a grasshopper or wasp, is caught, the spider, by 

 quickly giving it a revolving movement, and at the same time emitting a band 

 of threads from its spinners, soon envelopes its prey in a case resembling the 

 cocoon of a silkworm. The spider now examines its powerless victim, and 

 gives the fatal bite on the hind part of its thorax, then retreating, waits till the 

 poison has taken effect. The virulence of this poison is such, that in half a 

 minute after being bitten a large wasp is quite lifeless. 



The webs of another species, common in South America, are placed verti- 

 cally, and separated from each other by a space of about two feet, but are all 

 attached to certain common lines, which are of great length and extended to 

 all parts of the neighbourhood ; so that in this manner the tops of large bushes 

 are covered by the united nets. These gregarious habits, in creatures so blood- 

 thirsty and solitary as the spiders, are not a little curious. 



Another American spider builds a web of very singular construction. Strong 

 lines radiate from a common centre, where the creature is stationed, but only 

 two of the rays are connected by meshwork, so that the net, instead of being 

 circular, consists of a single wedge-shaped segment. DARWIX. 



The Clotho Durandii constructs a kind of tent, wherein it lives and rears its 

 young. This tent is formed by several superimposed sheets of a material re- 

 sembling the finest taffeta, and its margin presents seven or eight prominent 

 angles, which are fixed to the surface of the ground by silken cords. The 

 exterior sheet of the tent is purposely dirtied, for the sake of concealment, but 

 all within is beautifully clean and white. The most admirable part of the 

 contrivance, however, is the perfect safety afforded to the young when the 

 parent leaves her nest in search of food. Some of the superimposed sheets 

 are fastened together at their edges ; others are simply laid upon each other; 

 and as the spider herself only possesses the secret enabling her to raise those 

 layers by which entrance is to be obtained, no other animal can find its way 

 into her impenetrable abode. 



Another species is mentioned by Dr. Johnston, whose habits are still more 

 singular. This spider lives habitually in and under water, but having no 

 fellowship with that element, in which, of course, it cannot breathe like aquatic 

 animals, in order that it may pass its life there in a dry and comfortable 

 manner, appropriates to its use the old shells of water-snails (Limnceus stag- 

 nalis). Entering the shell, the spider closes the aperture with a web or curtain 

 of varnished silk, which re"pels the water and hinders its admission ; she then 

 fills her abode with atmospheric air. The shell is sometimes found lying at 

 the bottom of the pond, but, rendered buoyant by the air within it, often rises 

 and floats on the surface, and the wily spicier is, in this manner, carried within 

 reach of her prey, who feel no alarm at the approach of what seems to be a 

 snail. 



The Spiders (properly so called) (Araned) belong to this group. They 

 build their webs in the interior of houses, in the angles of walls, or on plants 

 and hedges ; sometimes under stones. Their web is very large, nearly hori- 

 zontal, and in the upper part there is always a tube, in which the old spider 

 sits concealed waiting with immoveable patience until some heedless victim 

 falls into her toils. 



10 



