The Garden Spiders: Building the Web 



research. The smallest garden contains 

 Epeirse, all accomplished weavers. 



In my enclosure, which I have stocked care- 

 fully with the most famous breeds, I have six 

 different species under observation, all of a 

 useful size, aU first-class spinners. Their 

 names are the Banded Epeira {Epelra fasci- 

 ata Walck.), the Silky Epeira (£. sericea, 

 Walck.), the Angular Epeira (£. anguUtta, 

 Walck.), the Pale-tinted Epeira {E. pallida, 

 Ouv.), the Diadem Epeira, or Cross Spider 

 (jB. diademn, Clerk.) , and the Crater Epeira 

 (£. cratera, Walck.). 



I am able, at the proper hours, all through 

 the fine season, to question them, to watch 

 them at work, now this one, anon that, accord- 

 ing to the chances of the day. \Miat I did not 

 see ver}' plainly yesterday I can see the next 

 day, under better conditions, and on any of the 

 following days, until the phenomenon under 

 obsen-ation is revealed in all clearness. 



Let us go eveni- evening, step by step, from 

 one border of tall rosemaries to the next. 

 Should things move too slowly, we will sit 

 down at the foot of the shrubs, opposite the 

 rope-yard, where the light falls favourably, 

 and watdi with unwearying attention. Each 

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