576 THE GARDEN SPIDER. 
are found round spots arranged in a square. The male is rather larger 
than the female, and his legs are larger in proportion. He may, however, 
be distinguished by the large mandibles and longer palpi. 
WE now arrive at the Epeiride, a family containing some of the 
strangest members of the spider race. The best known of this family is the 
common GARDEN SPIDER, sometimes called the CRoss SPIDER, from the 
marks upon its abdomen. _ This is thought to be the best typical example of 
all the Arachnidz. It is found in great numbers in our gardens, stretching 
its beautiful webs perpendicularly from branch to branch, and remaining in 
the centre with its head downwards, waiting for its prey. This attitude is 
tolerably universal among spiders ; and it is rather curious that the Arach- 
GARDEN SPIDER.—(Zfeira diadema.) 
nidz should reverse the usual order of thi i iti 
Serene eit arts things, and assume an inverted position 
The web of this spider is composed of two different kinds of threads, the 
radiating and supporting threads being strong and of simple texture. But 
the fine spiral thread which divides the web into a series of steps, decreasing 
in breadth towards the centre, is studded with a vast amount of little glo- 
bules, which give to the web its peculiar adhesiveness. These globules are 
too small to be perceptible to the unassisted eye, but by the aid of a micro- 
scope they may be examined without difficulty. In an ordinary web, such as 
is usually seen in gardens, there will be about eighty-seven thousand of these 
alten ae Ry we bape be completed in less than three-quarters of an 
our. e globules are loosely strung u i 
rubbed off, the thread is no leniger a a Be ane Se ncaa ere 
OF all the Spider race the SCORPIONS are most dreaded, and justly 
so. These strange beings are at once recognized by their large claws and 
