82 AMERICAN SPIDERS AND THEIR SPINNINGWORK. 
circumference of the orb grasp the radius as it is approached. This 
describes in a general way the method of locomotion. In other words, 
the legs towards the circumference reach forward toward the approached 
radius. At the immediate instant when 
the spinnerets clamp the new made string 
upon the radius the whole body is at rest 
and is balanced by the legs in the posi- 
tion just described (Fig. 79), that is, on 
the upper side supported by the two fore 
legs; on the forward side (towards the 
head of the spider) by the other 
The two fore and third legs, holding 
String oe 
Glempud: to the radius ; and on the lower 
side by the hind foot, which 
also grasps the radius just below the point 
of intersection. Of course, this period of 
Fic, 81. Movements of the body while spin- poise, as a rule, is so brief that it is 
ning spirals, S * 
scarcely noticeable. At times, however, 
when the spider appears to be moying more sluggishly, for one reason or 
another, the moment is sufficiently prolonged to permit the observation, 
I have often seen that the spider would make a quite noticeable pause 
before the hind foot let go the new spiral string, permitting it to snap into 
its position between the two radii. Sometimes the position of the spider 
will differ from the above in detail; for example, when the beaded strings 
have been brought up close to the scaffold line, 
they can be fastened while the spider hangs 
with her sides nearly parallel with the scaffold. 
In such case the legs on one side will hold on 
to the scaffold, while at least two legs on the 
under side remain free, and grope about with 
the restless motion of feeling after something, 
heretofore described. In these operations the 
scaffold line is generally well bent downward 
instead of being taut as shown in the cuts. 
The general line of progress of the Orb- (if 
weayer’s body while spinning the spirals is il- IZ] 
lustrated at Fig. 81, where R represents the fie ~ ie 
radii, SF, SFx, SFy are spiral scaffold lines, \\— 
and SP true beaded spirals. The spider en- 3 
gaged upon the spiral A fastens it to the ro. 82, Dropping action on the down- 
radius 1R at the point of contact; then the ara 
course of the body is upward along 1R to the spiral foundation SFx ; 
thence across the section B thereof; thence downward along radius 2R, 
until at the point C opposite A she can tighten. and fasten the line 
