The Life of the Spider 



anatomical peculiarities. Each group builds 

 according to the same set of principles, con- 

 forming to the laws of a very elementary 

 system of jesthetics; but often circumstances 

 beyond the architect's control — the space at 

 her disposal, the unevenness of the site, the 

 nature of the material and other accidental 

 causes — interfere with the worker's plans and 

 disturb the structure. Then virtual regularity 

 is translated into actual chaos; order degen- 

 erates into disorder. 



We might discover an interesting subject of 

 research in the type adopted by each species 

 when the work is accomplished without hin- 

 drances. The Banded Epeira weaves the wal- 

 let of her eggs in the open, on a slim branch 

 that does not get in her way; and her work is a 

 superbly artistic jar. The Silky Epeira also 

 has all the elbow-room she needs; and her 

 paraboloid is not without elegance. Can the 

 Labyrinth Spider, that other spinstress of ac- 

 complished merit, be ignorant of the precepts 

 of beaut}' when the time comes for her to 

 weave a tent for her offspring? As yet, what 

 I have seen of her work is but an unsighdy 

 bundle. Is that all she can do ? 



I look for better things if circumstances 



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