SPIDERS 47 



earth or are entangled in vegetation, and give rise to the filmy 

 substance commonly known as gossamer. 



Many species of spiders are easily kept in captivity in breeding 

 cages such as are used for caterpillars. It is of course necessary 

 to keep them regularly supplied with insects for food, but a supply 

 of water is also essential, for all spiders drink large quantities. 

 In the course of life the skin is cast several times, and slight 

 changes of colour take place after the moultings. It is also 

 noteworthy that limbs lost by accident can be grown again ; 

 moreover, spiders have the power of voluntarily throwing off a 

 limb when attached, and doubtless thus escape by sacrificing 

 a part for the whole. 



The length of life is very varied ; probably most do not long 

 survive the laying of the eggs or rearing of a family ; but there 

 are recorded instances of certain species living as long as four 

 years. 



BIBLIOGRAPHY. Encyclopedia Britannica (ed. ix.), ii. ; Pickard Cambridge, 

 Spiders of Dorset ; Blackwall, Spiders of Great Britain and Ireland ; Staveley, 

 British Spiders ; F. P. Smith, " Spiders of Epping Forest," Essex Naturalist, 

 December 1902. 



