FOOD OF INSECTS. 423 



M. Homberg tells us that he has seen a vigorous wasp 

 carried off and destroyed by one of these species. 



The spiders, to which I have hitherto adverted, seize 

 their prey by means of webs or nets ; but a very large 

 number, though, like the former, they spin silken cocoons 

 for containing their eggs, never employ the same material 

 in constructing similar snares, of which they make no use. 



These may be separated into two grand divisions ; the 

 first comprising those which conceal themselves and lie 

 in ambuscade for their prey, and sometimes run after it 

 to a short distance; the second, those which are con- 

 stantly roaming about in every direction in search of it, 

 and seize it by open violence. The former Walckenaer, 

 in his admirable Avork on spiders, has designated by the 

 name of Vagrants, the latter by that of Hunters ; term- 

 ing those already mentioned which spin webs and nets, 

 Sedentaries : if to these you add the Swimmers, or those 

 species which catch their prey in the water, you will 

 have an idea of the general manners of the whole race 

 of spiders. 



The artifices of that tribe which Walckenaer has na- 

 med vagrants are various and singular. A. holosericea 

 and many other species conceal themselves in a little cell 

 formed of the rolled-up leaf of a plant, and thence dart 

 upon any insect which chances to pass ; while A, atrox 

 and its affinities select for their place of ambush a hole 

 in a wall, or lurk behind a stone, or in the bark of a tree. 

 A. calycina more ingeniously places herself at the bot- 

 tom of the calyx of a dead flower, and pounces upon the 

 unwary flies, that come in search of honey ; and A, arwu 



