62 POND LIFE 



youngsters, seems to make little difference to the agility of the 

 parent. 



Wolf-spiders, although often found together, do not hunt in 

 packs. Each relies on its own power of hunting, and tracks 

 its prey down by stealth and speed. When searching for food 

 every inch of water or land is most carefully scrutinised. The 

 spider makes a short run, and halts, and seems to be most 

 minutely examining its surroundings At last its prey is 

 viewed a sudden rush on the water-film, and the unfortunate 

 pond-skater is seized and carried triumphantly to terra firma. 



Argyroneta aquatica it a totally aquatic spider. If the 

 pond-hunter is fortunate to be in a district where it is plenti- 

 ful, the first pond or stream may result in the capture of 

 several of these beautiful little creatures. Contrary to the 

 general rule, the male is larger than the female in this family. 



"Wait and watch," and if one has patience enough and 

 fortune favours, "the water-spider' 5 may be seen to rise to 

 the surface of the pond, resembling to all extent a globule of 

 quicksilver with eight blackish legs. It rises head downwards, 

 and on reaching the surface extrudes the end of its abdomen, 

 through the water-film. If undisturbed it will remain in this 

 position several seconds, until with a sudden pull, as if the 

 water-film resisted its departure, it swims down to the bottom 

 of the pond, carrying with it a fresh quantity of air. The 

 watcher, if he is unaware of the habits of Argyroneta aquatica, 

 may continue to wait and watch, hour after hour, in the hope 

 that it may make a reappearance. 



But the water-spider does not return unless perchance it is 

 filling its air store. Carefully concealed amongst the weeds 

 is a thimble-shaped structure of closely woven web. 



The diving bell has an aperture at the base, through which 

 the water-spider passes when entering or leaving. The dome 

 takes several hours to build, for it is not so simple as it looks, 

 and apart from the structure itself threads are stretching in 

 various directions in order to capture small creatures. 



The spider having formed its home rises to the surface for 

 a supply of air. Its abdomen is covered with fine hair closely 

 packed, thus preventing the water from wetting its body, 

 hence the imprisoned air forms the bubble. 



On reaching the dome the spider by a sudden movement, or 

 by rubbing against the sides of the dome or the leaf, to which 

 its home is anchored, liberates a part of the air, which rises to 

 the apex of the store-house. It then visits the surface for a 

 further supply, and continues to do so till the home is complete. 



Unaware of the danger that lurks beneath the leaf, small 



