350 INSECT ARCHITECTURE. 



far as we have determined, then, all the variou* 

 species of spiders, how different soever the form of 

 their webs may be, proceed in the circumstance of 

 shooting their lines precisely alike ; but those which 

 we have found the most manageable in experimenting 

 are the small gossamer-spider (Aranea obtexlrix, 

 Bechstein), known by its shining blackish-brown 

 body and reddish-brown semi-transparent legs; but 

 particularly the long-bodied spider (Tetragnatha 

 extensa, Latr..), which varies in colour from green to 

 brownish or grey — but has always a black line along 

 the belly, with a silvery white or yellowish one on 

 each side. The latter is chiefly recommended by 

 being a very industrious and persevering spinner, 

 while its movements are easily seen, from the long 

 cylindrical form of its body and the length of its legs. 



We placed the above two species with five or six 

 others, including the garden, the domestic, and the 

 labyrinthic spiders, in empty wine glasses, set in tea- 

 saucers filled with water to prevent their escape. 

 When they discovered, by repeated descents from the 

 brims of the glasses, that they were thus surrounded 

 5y a wet ditch, they all set themselves to the task of 

 throwing their silken bridges across. For this 

 purpose they first endeavoured to ascertain in what 

 direction the wind blew, or rather (as the experiment 

 was made in our study) which way any current of 

 air set, — by elevating their arms as we have seen 

 sailors do in a dead calm. But, as it may prove 

 more interesting to keep to one individual, we shall 

 first watch the proceedings of the gossamer-spider. 



Finding no current of air on any quarter of the brim 

 of the glass, it seemed to give up all hopes of con- 

 structing its bridge of escape, and placed itself in the 

 attitude of repose ; but no sooner did we produce a 

 stream of air, by blowing gently towards its position, 

 than, fixing a thread to the glass, and laying hold 



