spiders' webs. 
53 
fluid, like a kind of juice. This pours out from 
the holes, and hardens into silky threads as soon 
as it comes into the air. These threads are so 
fine that many of them are bound and twisted 
together to make a single line of cobweb." 
That is why the line is strong enough to hold 
the flies, I suppose," said Sam. 
4. Yes," replied his teacher. Perhaps you 
know that all spiders do not make round webs 
for catching their prey, like the one you have just 
seen. Some spin long lines between leaves and 
branches, or amongst grass. The gossamer spider 
shoots out very long threads, by means of which 
it floats through the air. There are also spiders 
that spin webs only to make houses for them- 
selves. 
5. ''Most spiders make a silken bag to hold 
their eggs, and some even carry the bag of eggs 
about with them." 
" What sort of homes can spiders make with 
their silk?" asked Lucy. 
6. ''Have you never seen the trap-door spider?" 
said Mr. Hunt. " It scoops out a narrow hole, 
several inches deep, in the ground, and then lines 
it with threads. At the top of its hole it weaves 
a pad for a door, or lid, which fits closely, and 
moves as on a hinge. 
7. "This clever spider takes care to mix mould 
