304 HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



measuring a quarter of an inch in diameter, and when it is first 

 made, is of the purest white, so as to be plainly visible among 

 the leaves. 



This purity, however, it retains but a very short time, for 

 after the spider has deposited her eggs, which are quite spherical, 

 and about forty or fifty in number, she closes the mouth 

 of the cocoon and proceeds to daub it all over with mud. 

 The moistened earth clings tightly to the silken cocoon, and 

 disguises it so effectually that no one who had not seen it before 

 that operation, could conceive how beautiful it had once been. 

 The muddy cover certainly makes the cocoon less visible, and 

 may probably have another effect, that of protecting the inclosed 

 eggs and young from the attacks of insects that feed upon 

 spiders. Several other species have the habit of daubing their 

 beautiful cocoons with mud. 



This species is plentiful in Bostal Common and Bexley Heath 

 in Kent, the profuse growth of gorse being very suitable to its 

 mode of life, and I have several specimens of their nests taken 

 from Shooter's Hill. June is the best month for them, as they 

 may be found both before and after the mud has been applied. 



An allied species, Agelena labyrinthiea, is equally plentiful in 

 similar localities, where its curious webs may be seen stretched 

 in horizontal sheets over the gorse, and having attached to each 

 web a cylindrical tube, at the end of which sits the spider itself. 

 Heath and common grass are also frequented by this spider. 



Besides the net or web in which it lives, and by means of 

 which it catches prey, it makes a beautiful cocoon in which the 

 eggs are placed. Externally the cocoon looks like a simple silken 

 bag, perfectly white in colour, and, except in size, somewhat 

 resembling that of the preceding species. It is only when quite 

 freshly made, that the white hue of the cocoon is visible ; for 

 after its completion, it is covered with scraps of dry leaves, bark, 

 earth, and other substances. If, however, this cocoon be opened, 

 it is found to contain at least another cocoon within, and often 

 comprises two, of a saucer-Hke shape, and made also of white 

 silk. These inner cocoons are nearly half an inch in diameter, 

 and contain a very variable quantity of pale yellow, spherical 

 eggs, sometimes fifty in number, but often exceeding a hundred. 

 The inner cocoons are firmly tied by strong lines to the interior 

 of the large sac in which they are inclosed. 



