190 



LIFE, IN ITS INTERMEDIATE FORMS. 



from the circumference towards the centre, but which 

 stops somewhat short of it ; this line is the most impor- 

 tant part of the snare. It consists of a fine thread studded 

 with minute viscid globules, like dew, which, by their 

 adhesive quality, retain the insects that fly into the. net.* 

 The skilful constructor then stations herself in the very 

 centre, where she patiently hangs head downward : and, 

 her feet extended upon the rays, " lives along the line," 

 until the arrest of some unwary fly rouses her to vigorous 

 action. Approaching the struggling victim, she pours 

 out her glutinous web in extraordinary profusion, direct- 

 ing it by means of her great hind feet in a broad and 

 dense ribbon around the fly, whose every limb is rapidly 

 enveloped by it. The pointed poisonous claws are now 

 plunged into its body, and the juices sucked at leisure. 



The threads of a Spider's web, fine as they are, must 

 not be considered as simple filaments, but as ropes com- 

 posed of many strands. The spinning apparatus consists 

 of four little teats or warts at the hinder extremity of the 

 body. The upper pair of these are perforated at their 

 tips with innumerable holes of inconceivable minuteness, 

 so as to resemble a colander, and through each of these 

 holes proceeds a thread. The lower pair are similarly 

 perforated, but are set in addition with a number of pro- 

 minent tubes, which furnish threads also. Within the 

 body at this part there are several bags filled with gummy 

 matter, which at the will of the animal is forced through 

 the orifices, and hardens into elastic silk on exposure to 

 the air. The Spider applying the ends of the teats to any 

 fixed object, the gum adheres, and by her progress a cord 



* BUckwall, in Zool. Journal, v. 181. 



