WATER SPIDERS AND MITES 63 



crustaceans and other animals swim past. A pair of legs 

 suddenly appear, a wild attempt is made to seize the visitor. 

 It may prove successful, and next moment the victim is held 

 by a pair of forceps. But frequently the spider is unsuccessful, 

 and wildly grabs at its would-be victim, which makes off as fast 

 as nature allows it. The disappointed spider withdraws inside 

 its dome, and waits for another opportunity. 



It is really a most interesting sight to see Argyroneta 

 aquatica attempt to seize an adult freshwater hog. The 

 latter appears totally at a loss as to where the enemy is 

 concealed, and will often blunder into the " arms " of the 

 spider several times before finally making its escape. 



Sometimes, if the spider seizes its victim a great struggle 

 takes place. The water-hog wildly attempts to break away 

 from its captor, whilst the spider evinces great unwillingness 

 to leave its retreat, and often, after the water-shrimp has 

 escaped, the spider's ruffled feelings are such that it will 

 continue its ferocious behaviour in a most childlike manner. 



" Love-making " in spiderland is fraught with grave dangers, 

 and the proverb that " none but the brave deserve the fair " is 

 certainly true. 



Her ladyship believes in business before pleasure, and realises 

 that food without a home is preferable to a home and an empty 

 larder. So the suitor makes his appearance, and does his ut- 

 most to look " nice," often unfortunately with so much success 

 that he is promptly eaten by the object of his affections. And 

 the next suitor fares no better, nor even those that may follow, 

 until the creature's hunger is appeased. Then with so much 

 love inside her, her thoughts turn to ethereal matters. 



In the case of the water-spider the male builds a cell next 

 to that of his " heart's " desire, and having filled his home by 

 the usual methods, he cautiously bites through the dividing 

 wall. 



As the reader will understand, it all depends on the lady's 

 temper what the result of his entry may be ; if pleasant, all is 

 well, but if not the suitor probably has much to regret. 



In the resulting conflict the entire home is uprooted and 

 demolished. As the male is fortunate in being larger he often 

 comes off victorious. But should the female be in the right 

 mood, when her lover bites his way into her dwelling, an egg 

 case is woven and between seventy and one hundred eggs 

 are laid. 



The young spiders on hatching have each a bubble of air and 

 lead an independent existence. 



Argyroneta aquatica is of particular interest to the pond- 



