’ the amount of swathing thread used at 
PROCURING FOOD AND FEEDING. 251 
With great rapidity the abdomen is then doubled under, and a jet of 
thick, white silk issued from the expanded spinnerets, and thrown out 
rapidly by the hind legs. At the same time the insect is revolved by the 
united action of the short third pair of legs, the two fore legs, and not 
infrequently by the aid of the hind pair also. There is much difference 
in this respect, but the first, third, and 
fourth pairs seem always to be used. As 
the fly is rolled around by the feet the 
swathing thread envelops it something 
after the manner of woolen yarns as they 
pass from a spindle to a reel. But some- 
times the spider revolves her own body as 
well as the fly, thus facilitating the rapid- 
ity with which the victim is enswathed. 
There is, of course, a great difference in 
different times. Sometimes a few threads jy, 990 4 ay tightly swathed and trussed up. 
suffice, so that the outlines of the insect’s 
body and limbs are clearly seen through them. (Fig. 229.) Again, the 
bandages will be a veritable winding sheet, and perfectly conceal the de- 
tails of the victim, showing only a lumpy outline, a creature as truly 
mummied as was ever one of Egypt’s sacred animals. (Fig. 235.) 
Epeira trifolium was observed capturing a grasshopper. She approached 
very cautiously from above, and, as she drew near the entangled insect, 
threw out one fore leg and then another, drawing each back quickly as 
though feeling the character of the prey. Being satisfied, she dropped to 
one side and threw out two wide, thick streams of silk. These issued from 
either side of the spinning rosette, and each stream was fed evidently by 
the three spinnerets upon either side. (Fig. 230.) These two streams at 
once seized hold upon the limbs of the entangled grasshopper, and as the 
spider began to revolve the insect they were reeled 
out, rapidly covering the whole insect with swathing 
material, These streams of silk, after the first gush, 
were drawn out alternately by the two hind legs— 
first one, and then the other, being used. Presently 
the spider dropped below her victim, and thence 
A passed to the side opposite, continuing her oper- 
Fig. 230. Adoublestreamof ations until the insect was satisfactorily wound up. 
Sere She did not strike it with her fangs at all, but 
retired to her den, dragging after her the swathing thread, which was 
widely divergent where it laid hold upon the grasshopper, but gradually 
converged as the spider moved away and closed her spinnerets, until it be- 
came a single thread. (Fig. 231.) This mode I have observed at various 
times. 
