tHE GARDEN SPIDER. 48 1 



thread still thicker by spinning others to it. From 

 this thread she often descends by spinning down- 

 ward to the ground. The thread formed by the 

 latter operation she fixes to some stone, plant, or 

 other substance. She re-ascends to the first thread, 

 and at a little distance from the second begins a 

 third, which she fixes in the same manner. She 

 now strengthens all the three threads, and, be- 

 ginning at one of the corners, weaves across, and at 

 last forms a strong and durable net, in the centre of 

 which she places herself with her head downward 

 to wait for her prey. 



From having frequently remarked that spiders 

 spread their webs in solitary and confined places, 

 to which it is sometimes difficult for flies to pene- 

 trate, M. Le Vaillant naturally concluded that these 

 creatures must frequently remain long without food, 

 and that consequently they were capable of enduring 

 considerable abstinence. 



To ascertain the truth of this circumstance, he 

 took a large Garden Spider, whose belly was about 

 the size of a nut, and inclosed it under a glass bell, 

 which he secured with cement round its bottom, 

 and left in this situation for ten months. Notwith- 

 standing this deprivation of food, it appeared during 

 the whole time equally vigorous and alert ; but its 

 belly decreased, till at last it was scarcely larger 

 than the head of a pin. 



He then put under the bell to it another spider of 



the same species. For a little while they kept at a 



respectful distance from each other, and remained 



motionless ; but presently the meagre one, pressed 



vol. in. I i 



