730 
Habits of Animals 
[November, 
rately, drawing the line after it, as the table must have 
presented numerous obstacles to this method of construction. 
The probable method in such cases seems to be that the 
lines are projected with precision from one point of adherence 
to another; possibly they are weighted for the purpose. 
This would appear to be the only way of placing a delicate 
filament in so extraordinary a position ; and that it is the 
aCtual method used, I had, soon after the above-mentioned 
incident took place, a strong proof. 
A small spider appeared suddenly upon the sheet of paper 
on which I was writing. I advanced to the window, holding 
the sheet in my hand, to inspect the stranger. In the other 
hand I held another sheet of paper, the edge of which I 
placed within about a foot of that on which Sir Spinner was 
disporting himself. Having ascended to the edge, he at 
once darted over the intervening space with such rapidity as 
almost to elude vision. It seemed that he had projected a 
line, with great precision, to the opposite side of the gulf, 
the very moment he gained the “ point of vantage,” and 
then had sped across with lightning rapidity, drawing up 
the line as he advanced. 
Speaking of Aranece, I may mention in connexion with 
the severe winter, 1878-79, that, shortly before the frost 
began, I noticed several of the smaller species in a half- 
torpid state upon lines dropped from the old-fashioned high 
mantel-shelf in my room. They remained motionless for 
a considerable time in mid-air, apparently enjoying the 
warmth. 
Here we have probably an instance of that tameness 
which finds another expression in the approach and entrance 
of small birds into human dwellings when intense cold is 
near at hand. Whether this change of habit arises from a 
vague anticipation of misfortune and a consequent craving 
for sympathy, or merely from the failure of the food-supply 
depending on the existence of creatures weaker than them- 
selves, it seems evident enough that there is a consciousness 
of the faCb that man is to a certain extent the controller of 
Nature’s resources and the almoner of her bounties. 
The Meteorological Society, in publishing its “ Phenolo- 
gical ” Observations, has fully recognised the importance of 
noting first and last appearances ; and in the Entomological 
Report Mr. Griffith puts in a claim for the spiders. He 
alludes to their supposed remarkable perception of the 
probable future condition of the atmosphere ; and notes the 
opinion expressed by M. DeTijonval, that their first appear- 
ance should be proclaimed with the “ sound of trumpet.” 
