278 ON THE NETS OF GEOMETRIC SPIDERS. 
the figure of which appears to be a matter of indif- 
ference, with lines of her own spinning. This is 
effected by proceeding along the objects immediately 
surrounding the space destined to be occupied by 
the net, and attaching to several points, by pressing 
the spinners against them, a line drawn out afte 
her in her transit from one to another. These mar- 
ginal lines she strengthens with a few additional 
ones, and finally gives them the requisite degree of 
tension by applying to them, in different directions, 
numerous smaller threads. Having thus completed 
the foundations of her snare, in the next place she 
commences to fill up the outline. Fixing a thread 
to one of the boundary lines, along which she walks, 
she guides the filament, produced in her progress, 
with one of her hind feet, that it may not touch in 
any part and adhere prematurely ; and crossing over 
to the opposite side, she there attaches it firmly, by 
applying her spimners. To the middle of this 
diagonal thread, which is to form the centre of the 
net, she fixes a second, which, in like manner, she 
conveys and fastens to another part of the lines 
encompassing the area. Along this last-formed 
thread she returns, drawing out another after her, 
which, as she does not employ any means to keep 
it distinct, becomes connected with that on which 
she is advancing, and is ultimately glued by its 
extremity to the centre of the net. In this manner, 
but without observing any regularity in the order of 
