SPIDERS. 



113 



are so formed that they can hardly walk right side up. Linyphia marmorata makes a 

 dome-shaped web, supported by threads that extend up into the bushes two or three 

 feet. The spider stands under the middle of the dome, where it draws in a small cir- 

 cle of web with its feet. The upper threads of the web interfere with the wings of 

 small insects flying between them, and they fall down to the dome below, where they 

 are seized, and pulled through the nearest hole. Linyphia communis makes a double 

 web. The spider statads under the upper sheet, which curves a little downward. What 

 the use of the lower web is is not easily seen. 



The webs of Theridion usually have at some part a tent, or at least a thicker portion, 

 under which the spider stands ; and from this run irregularly simple threads, crossing 

 each other in all directions, and held in place by threads above and below. Such irreg- 

 ular webs are often made in houses by Theridion vulgare, in corners of rooms, under 

 furniture, and in cellar-stairways. The same spider spins occasionally out of doors on 

 fences, but never on plants. When it has caught an insect, and tied it up, it fastens 

 to it threads from above, which, as they dry, contract, and pull it up a little. It brings 

 down more and more threads, until the insect is at last hoisted to the top of the web, 

 where the spider can suck it with- 

 out exposure. Pholcus, the long- 

 legged cellar-spider, makes an 

 irregular web of this kind, and has 

 a curious habit when alarmed. It 

 hangs down by its long legs and 

 swings its body around in a circle, 

 so fast that it can hardly be seen. 



Round cobwebs are made by 

 the family Epeiridae, and the pro- 

 cess of making them by the com- 

 mon spider, from which our figures 

 are drawn, can be easily observed 

 in any garden. They generally 

 choose for their web a window- 

 frame or fence, or some such open 

 wooden structure, where there is a 

 hole or crack in which they can 

 hide in the daytime. The spider 

 begins by spinning a line across 

 where the web is to be, and attaches 

 another to it near the middle. She 

 carries the last line along, holding 

 it with one of the hind-feet, and 

 makes it fast an inch or two from one end of the first; then she goes back to 

 the centre, attaches another line, which she carries off in another direction and 

 fastens ; and so on until all the rays of the web (Fig. 160) are finished. She stops 

 occasionally at the centre, turns around, and pulls at the threads one after another, 

 and spins here and there short cross-lines to hold them more firmly. She seems, 

 by thus feeling the rays, to decide where to put in the next one, and does it 

 always in such a way as to keep tight what has been done before. When the rays are 

 finished to her satisfaction, the spider begins at the centre to spin a spiral line across 

 VOL. n. — 8 



Fig. 160. — Web of Epeira vulgaris, a. Spiral thread, b. Eadial 

 threads, c. Threads to nest. The spider is seen spinning the 

 adhesive threads. 



