SPIDERS AND THEIR fVEB-MAKING 205 



posed of a spiral line but of a closed oval or circular shield. 

 The very small triangle spider spins a triangular web 

 (fig. 166), from which a main stay-line runs, upon which 

 the creature rests with a loop of the stay-line held between 

 the fore and hind legs. When an insect alights upon 

 the snare the spider looses the hold of the hind legs on 

 the stay-line and the web springs suddenly, further en- 



FlG. 166. — The triangle spider, Hyptiotes sp. (California), with its web; 

 the spider rests on tlie taut guy-line, with a loop of the line held 

 between its fore and hind legs; when an insect gets into the web the 

 spider loosens the hold of its hind feet on the guy-line, thus allowing 

 the web to spring forward sharply and further entangle the prey. 

 (Web with spider on one-half natural size; spider below twice natural 

 size; from Jenkins and Kellogg.) 



tangling the prey. Search should be made for these and 

 other kinds of webs. 



There is another peculiar phenomenon to be observed 

 in connection with spider's silk. On some bright warm 

 days there may be noticed many " spider webs " or long 

 threads of spider silk, floating in the air, some of them at 

 considerable heights. Careful observation will show that 

 not only are ' ' spider webs ' ' floating, but attached to 



