264 
NATURAL HISTORY. 
choice of some commodious spot, where there is an appear- 
ance of plunder and security. The animal then distils one 
little drop of its glutinous liquor which is very tenacious, and 
then creeping up the wall, and joining its thread as it pro- 
ceeds, it darts itself in a very surprising manner to the op- 
posite place, where the other end of the web is to be fastened. 
The first thread thus formed, drawn tight, and fixed at each 
end, the spider then runs upon it backward and forward, still 
assiduously employed in doubling and strengthening it, as 
upon its force depends the strength andstability of the whole. 
The scaffolding thus completed, the spider makes a number 
of threads parallel to the first, in the same manner, and then 
crosses them with others ; the clammy substance of which 
they are formed serving to bind them, when newly made, 
to each other. 
The insect, after this operation, doubles and trebles the 
thread that borders its web, by opening all its teats at once, 
and secures the edges, so as to preventtlie wind fromblowing 
the work away. The edges being thus fortified, the retreat 
is next to be attended to ; and this is formed like a funnel at 
the bottom of the web, where thelittle creature lies concealed. 
To this are two passages, or outlets, one above and the other 
below, very artfully contrived, to give it an opportunity of 
making excursions at proper seasons, of prying into every 
corner, and cleaning those parts which arc observed to be 
clogged or encumbered. Still attentive to its web, the spider, 
from” time to time, cleans away the dust that gathers round 
it, which might otherwise clog and incommode it: for this 
purpose, it gives the whole a shake with its paws ; still, how- 
ever, proportioning the blow so as not to endanger the fabric. 
It often happens also, that from the main web there are se- 
veral threads extended at some distance on every side : these 
are, in some measure, theoutworksof the fortification, which, 
whenever touched from without, tliespider prepares for attack 
or sell-defence. If the insect impinging be a fly, it springs 
forward with greatagility ; if, on thecontrary.it.be the assault ( 
of an enemy stronger than itself, it keeps within its fortress, 
and never ventures out till the danger be over. Another ad- 
vantage which the spiderreaps from the contrivance of a cell, 
or retreat behind the web, is, that it serves for a place where 
the creature can feast upon its game with all safety, and con- 
ceal the fragments of those carcases which it has picked, 
without exposing to public view the least trace of barbarity, 
that might create a suspicion in any insects that their enemy 
was near. 
It of en happens, however, that the wind, or the shaking 
