THE AKACHNIDA. 



305 



Fig. 238. Nest of a Mason Spider. 



C the Spider, D the eyes magnified, and E and F parts 

 of the foot and claw magnified. 



518. There is a Spider common in the woods that 

 weaves together a great many leaves for a dwelling, and 

 in front of this spreads its snares to catch its prey. When 

 winter approaches it leaves its eggs in this nest to be 

 hatched the following spring, and itself retires to some 

 hollow tree to die. 



519. An English clergyman, Mr. Shepherd, has often 

 seen in the fen ditches of Norfolk a very large Spider 

 that makes a raft by fastening weeds together with silk- 

 en threads, and sails forth on this in search of insects that 

 may chance to get into the water. But the most inter- 

 esting water-spider is one that makes for itself a silken 

 diving-bell, which looks in the water like a little silver 

 globe. This is sometimes partly above the surface of the 

 water, but at others it is fastened by silken ropes to ob- 

 jects below. The Spider contrives in some way to carry 



