THE GOSSAMER SPIDER. 



tion as to see the sun-beams play on the slender 

 threads, hedges, meadows, corn-fields, stubble land, 

 and even whole districts, appear covered as with a 

 sort of fine white gauze. 



" The Gossamer Spider does not weave a web, 

 but only extends its threads from one place to ano- 

 ther. These are so delicate that a single thread 

 cannot be seen unless the sun shines on it. One 

 of them, to be visible at other times, must be com- 

 posed of at least six common threads twisted to- 

 gether. In serene calm days these spiders work 

 with great diligence, especially after the disappear- 

 ance of the morning fogs. Between twelve and two, 

 however, their industry excites the greatest admira- 

 tion. A person with a pretty quiek eye, or by the 

 help of a glass, may sometimes perceive among the 

 barley-stubble such a multitude of these insects, 

 extending their threads, that the fields appear as if 

 covered with swarms of gnats. 



" Several of the single threads become twisted 

 together by the gentlest breath of wind, and form 

 perceptible threads, which, being broken by stronger 

 winds, unite into thick threads, or even into balls, 

 and float through the atmosphere. These are then 

 called, in Germany, the flying summer, because the 

 summer seems to fly away at the same time. The 

 spiders are conveyed in them : but it is not uncom- 

 mon to find spiders of other species in them, which 

 have been entangled and dragged away ; and even 

 the webs of other spiders, and the dried husks of 

 insects that have been caught by them, are often 

 found in the Gossamer. 



