THE RAY SPIDER AND HER SNARE. 197 
more careful examination of the spinningwork of these little strangers. As 
the snares were hung invariably within the interstices of rocks forming 
the remains of a ruined dam, or in cavities underneath roots of old stumps 
of trees, or in recesses of the overhanging banks of a little brook or run, 
everywhere shadowed by shrubbery and thick foliage, it is not strange that 
the peculiarity failed to attract attention, and was only developed by more 
careful research. 
On account of the continually changing form of the snare, it will be 
necessary to present it from various points of view, and as seen in differ- 
ent stages of its diurnal changes. Fig. 187 presents a view of the 
Snare : h E we Es i 7 
Described S22te in a partially relaxed condition. The spider is seen seated 
in the centre of a series of rays, i, ii, iii, iv, v, which are grasped 
by the third and fourth pairs of legs. There is no hub, properly speaking, 
Fic. 189. View from front. Web taut. Perspective not shown. Central opening exact. 
but the axes of the rays may be seen at times united upon a central 
point, as at H, Fig. 188. The general tendency is to four or five main 
divisions or rays, as may be seen by studying the figures presented. But 
there is more or less variation, and in the course of the day’s usage in 
capturing prey two sections will become interblended upon one axis, as 
appears to be the case in Fig. 188 and also in Fig. 191. 
The central space is a large, irregular opening, constituting about one- 
third of the entire snare, whose diameter is usually from three to five 
inches, as at Fig. 189, which is drawn natural size. The gentral circle, 
meshes, and notched spirals which so generally characterize orbwebs are 
thus wholly wanting in the Actinic snare. 
