106 INSECTS. 



long grass, which lay no snares at all, but catch their prey 

 in a fair chase, will serve well for study. There is a 

 large and gayly colored spider very abundant sometimes 

 in stubble fields, and often the one most easily obtainable 

 for class use. It spins a small geometrical web between 

 the Aveeds that overtop the stubble; and when its web is 

 jarred by the shaking of the weeds, it drops to the ground, 

 and feigns death. It may then be picked up with forceps, 

 and dropped into a cyanide bottle or into alcohol. 



In winter, spiders may be found under the bark of dead 

 trees, or aquatic species may be taken with a net among 

 the green, submerged plants that grow on the borders of 

 brooks and ponds. But in winter there will be scant 

 opportunities for observing their habits or their webs. 



Specimens are best preserved in alcohol. 



Habits. Observations on the habits of spiders are best 

 made while out collecting. The following are but meager 

 suggestions of what may be done in field study. 



1. To see how its silk is spun, pick up a live spider by 

 a hind leg with forceps, and watch for the formation of a 

 thread from some blunt protuberances (spinnerets) beneath 

 and near the posterior end of the abdomen. Draw this 

 thread out with a pencil, and observe that it is composed 

 of separate strands. Put at least one spinning spider 

 into a vial or pill box, and take it home alive. 



2. Various methods of spinning may be easily observed. 

 Certain small spiders will be seen aimlessly trailing a 

 thread after them as they run about over the grass or 

 fences, making, not a web, but a tangle of threads ; but 

 those that make webs of artistic patterns have a uniform 

 and very curious method of procedure, easily seen where 

 such spiders are abundant. 



3. On a hot afternoon certain very small spiders may 

 be seen floating in mid-air upon a few gossamer-like 



