OBSERVATIONS ON THE STRUCTURE AND 
ECONOMY OF SPIDERS. 
—_—_~>—_ 
Amonc the various species of Araneidea which cap- 
ture their prey by means of snares composed of the 
animal secretion emitted from their spinners, it would 
be difficult to select any, the Geometric Spiders alone 
excepted, whose structure and economy are better 
deserving of investigation than those of Cixzflo atrox. 
Whoever inspects closely the snare of this very com- 
mon species cannot fail to be struck with the singu- 
larity of its appearance, and will naturally feel a 
desire to be made acquainted with the process em- 
ployed m its formation. Such, at least, has been the 
case with myself; and I have experienced no small 
degree of disappointment in not being able to obtain 
any information on the subject from those authors 
whose works I have had an opportunity of consult- 
ing. This unsuccessful examination of the labours 
of naturalists, many of them distinguished for the 
extent of their learning, the minuteness of their 
researches, and the comprehensiveness of their views, 
induces me to believe it probable that the inquiry 
