186 



INSECT TRANSFORMATIONS. 



vious when we consider that the spinneret of the spi- 

 der is placed near its tail, while that of the caterpillar 

 is in its mouth. The spider accordingly drops head 

 downwards,* but when it wishes to remount the line, 

 it turns round, and raising its head, it stretches its long 

 triple-clawed legs"f up the line, which it bundles up 

 while it ascends. The caterpillar on the other hand, 

 having very short legs, with only one smooth claw,J 

 would make but slow progress in this manner, which 

 it does not attempt; but bending its head downwards 

 till it can grasp the cord with its hinder pair of feet, 



Methoils used by spiders and calerpillnrs for ascending their 

 threads. The caterpillars are those of the emperor-moth (Sotur- 

 nia Pirjonin). 



Insect Archil., pnae 33fi. 

 ll.'i(l, p. 307, lelt-hand figure. 



+ Ibid, p. 367. 



