146 



ARACHNIDANS. 



The Water-Spider (Argyroneta}* is another member of the same extensive 

 family, the history of which must by no means be passed over. This remarkable spider 

 lives in stagnant waters, where it swims about with perfect ease, keeping its abdomen 

 enclosed in a bubble of air, which shines like a little globe of silver. The female con- 

 structs for herself a nest, a kind of diving-bell, in the shape of an oval cocoon, which 

 is lined with silk, and anchored to the surrounding plants by cables spread in all direc- 

 tions : in this retreat she lies in wait for prey, and places her cocoon of eggs, which 

 she jealously guards ; and here, also, she shuts herself up to pass the winter. 



FIG. 155. NEST OF HOUSE-SPIDER. 



The Inequiteles, f or Thread-spinners, constitute a second 

 division, known by their webs, constructed of very irregular 

 meshes, which cross each other in all directions. These spiders 

 garotte their prey ; they carefully watch their eggs, and never 

 abandon them till they are hatched. Some of them (Pholcus 

 phalangistd) are common in our houses, where they construct a 

 loose web in the angles of walls : the female glues her eggs to- 

 gether in a loose packet, without any covering, and carries them 

 about in her jaws. 



Upon one occasion Bonnet saw a spider of this description 

 tumble into the pitfall of an ant-lion, which immediately seized 

 upon her bag of eggs, and attempted to drag it into the sand. 



* dpyvpos, argyros, silver ; PTJTOS, netos, spun, f Inrequalis, unequal ; tela, a web. 



