318 AMERICAN SPIDERS AND THEIR SPINNINGWORK. 
inch. The materials of which it is composed externally are small particles 
of hardened earthy pebbles, twigs, withered leaves, ete., rather slightly at- 
tached by threads. This tube is lined with silk, forming a comfortable 
home. However irregular in appearance the nest may 
* be externally, the interior is always smooth. 
Mr. Robertson examined sixty or seventy nests, and 
kept a dozen of them under glass cases for closer ob- 
servation. Most of the nests were suspended under the 
leaves of raspberry and gooseberry bushes and like situ- 
ations at a distance of from two to four inches from 
the earth; in a few instances they were suspended in 
the angles of old walls. When built above the soil the 
pebbles alone seemed to be used. When built near a 
wall particles of mortar were taken. In the latter case, 
the nests were the most regular in form. When with- 
ered leaves were near,. these and small twigs were used, 
Frc. 295. Nest of Theria- and the nests formed of such materials were the least 
ium riparium, made of symmetrical. It is thus manifest that the mechan- 
pellets of clay. 
ical finish of the domicile depends largely upon the 
building material available. 
In order to test the capabilities of these little architects, the observer 
supplied those which were in confinement with small twigs cut im lengths 
of about one-eighth inch, mixing with them larger pieces. He 
Artificial was surprised to find that the smallest pieces were not often 
Supplies : ; ; 
Used, selected, and apparently the most unsuitable pieces were fre- 
quently chosen by the little architect. Figs. 298 and 299 are 
examples of nests formed by these twigs. The upper parts, above the 
marked line in the cuts, were built before they were transferred to cases. 
Fig. 298 was constructed in the course of three weeks. Fig. 299 was built 
by a wonderfully industrious mother of two large families, who subse- 
quently made a neat little residence of particles of chalk. 
While the eggs remain unhatched, the nest seldom exceeds one inch in 
length. No sooner, however, does the mother find that she has to accom- 
modate a large family than she is seized 
with a building impulse, and may be seen 
to descend suddenly to the earth. 
She then takes a seemingly pur- 
poseless scramble over the material 
beneath her nest. Passing by much build- 
ing material apparently well fitted for her 
purpose, without any attempt at examination, Nests in their earliest stages. 
she fixes upon a twig or other object which pie incom ater 
often appears disproportionate to her size and strength. To this she attaches 
a line, and quickly scrambles back again, dragging the twig after her. 
Mode of 
Building. 
