NATURE STUDY 



the upper surface of the web to seize its prey, or runs away when 

 necessary by issuing from the lower end of the tube, and escap- 

 ing unseen on 

 the ground 

 among the grass 

 roots. The fun- 

 nel web weaving 

 spiders are long 

 legged, usually 

 brownish spiders 

 very often of 

 considerable size 

 and with one of 

 the pairs of spin- 

 nerets unusually 

 long. Have the 

 children see how 

 the web is sus- 

 pended by stout 

 supporting lines. 

 Note the funnel- 

 shaped tube with its upper and lower openings. Find a tube 

 with the spider in it. Touch the web slightly with a pencil point, 

 trying to induce the spider to come out upon the web. Observe 

 its manner of escape. 



A great advance in degree of symmetry and elaboration of 

 design is shown by the round webs or orb-webs (fig. 72). These 

 are the most interesting as well as the most beautiful of spider's 

 snares, and they furnish the nature study teacher with a fascina- 

 ting subject of observation. The orb- webs may be found sus- 

 pended between the branches of shrubby plants or between the 

 bushes themselves, in fences, in open door ways or wherever in 

 the garden a convenient frame work presents itself. They are 



Fig. 72. The orb-web of Argiope (after McCook). 



