SPIDER. 
519 
directs her to form a lodge where she may lie con- 
cealed ; and this is contrived at the bottom of her 
web, where she continues a close prisoner, and keeps 
a constant watch for the unwary prey. There are 
two outlets to the lodge, one above and the other 
below, which give her an opportunity of being 
every where when necessary, and of visiting and 
cleaning all the parts. From all parts of the web 
are drawn several threads, that terminate like rays 
in the centre, and it is in this centre that the lodge 
is wisely formed ; for the sound made by the vibra- 
tion of one of these threads, is immediately com- 
municated to the spider within, and gives her no- 
tice of game in her nets. This retreat likewise af- 
fords her another advantage of some consequence, 
as she can there not only feed in full security, but 
conceal the carcases of the dead from the observation 
of other insects, who might probably be intimidated 
from approaching a place where any traces of her 
barbarity were to be seen. 
While the spider continues vigorous and in health 
the glands which secrete the gum are sufficient for 
her purpose, and the web which is destroyed to-day 
will be completed again by to-morrow. Enemies 
are continually injuring her work, without abating 
her industry, which seems to rise superior to these 
difficulties ; and while her magazine of gum con- 
tinues to be replenished, she soon repairs her web. 
This however does not always last, the reservoir is 
at length drained of its supplies ; for when the spi- 
der grows old, both the gum and the sponges on her 
