288 



that's it; 



tissues, composed of threads crossing each 

 other in various directions, or open lace-work, 

 in which the threads are more or less symme- 

 trically arranged, constituting nets of exquisite 

 beauty. Among the artificers which produce 

 the former kind of manufacture may be noticed 

 the common house spider, aranea domestical. 

 The webs of this spider are placed nearly 

 horizontally in the corners of rooms, among the 

 rafters of barns, stables, &c. Their construction 

 is as follows : — Having chosen the site, the 

 spider fixes the first thread, which is to form 

 the selvage of the tissue, to one of the walls, or 

 some convenient point, and, drawing out her 

 thread all the time, she forthwith proceeds to 

 the opposite point, and tiiere fastens it. This 

 process she repeats several times, in order, by 

 redoubling the threads, to give due strength to 

 the margin. She next proceeds to draw threads 

 in all directions, crossing and recrossing them 

 until, every interval being filled up, the web 

 exhibits an irregular gauze-like structure 

 stretched horizontally. It mostly happens that, 

 in addition to this web, there is an intermele of 

 lines carried up from its edges, so as to form a 

 maze of cordage, so intricately blended as to 

 prove a snare to the rambling fly, for whose 

 destruction they are spread. Thus is the web 

 of the house spider armnged. But where is the 

 grim artificer? Patiently lurking in a little 

 hiding-place or chamber covered with a close 

 tissue of web, in a remote corner concealed from 

 view ; but watching in her den the extent of 

 ♦?er 'oil? spread before her. Leading to this 



den are a number of threads, which, vibrating 

 upon the entanglement of the expected victim, 

 inform the spider of the booty within her 

 gra^p ; then instantly she comes forth and 

 pounces upon her struggling victim. 



Thus we see that the hum- 

 blest creatures present points 

 of interest worthy of human 

 study. When these things are 

 not understood, every object in 

 creation is like a gem hidden in 

 the depths of the earth ; but 

 when they are brought from 

 obscurity and the light of know- 

 ledge is shed upon them, they 

 reflect the most gorgeous rays, 

 and the face of nature seems 

 illuminated with a surpassing 

 radiance* 



