September 29, 1881. ] 
289 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
200 or 300 yards off. In fact, several specimen Camellia trees are 
so grown in Cornish gardens ; but it must be remembered, however, 
that in Cornwall the sun is not nearly so powerful as in some 
other districts of the country.— W. Roberts. 
CHAPTERS ON INSECTS FOR GARDENERS.—No. 29. 
NEW SERIES. 
Some years ago the present writer contributed to the pages of a 
scientific journal an article upon “ Darkling Spiders,” which led 
to a lively discussion upon the habits of one group of these 
creatures. In this article an account was given of the curious 
and sometimes large webs that are to be found in dark closets or 
cupboards, or in similar places where it is exceedingly unlikely 
that spiders could capture any quantity of flying insects ; and it was 
suggested that these webs, seemingly the work of several spiders, 
must be designed for retreats merely. From the information then 
elicited it appears that the number of flies and other winged 
insects that enter closets, sheds, 
&c., where there is little light is 
greater than might be supposed ; 
also in such places these webs may 
be designed to entrap crawling in¬ 
sects and mites which are sure to 
frequent them. But, as a general 
rule, webs are spread by spiders 
with the object of catching winged 
insects, though a variety of insects 
in different stages tumble into the 
snares. Caterpillars are often found 
in spiders’ webs, and to some 
species of these the occupiers of the 
webs manifest great dislike, eject¬ 
ing them as speedily as possible. 
Should one of the leaf-rolling cater¬ 
pillars fall into a web the result is 
usually a prolonged struggle be¬ 
tween it and the spider ; its dex¬ 
terity enables it to slip out of the 
coils of silk thrown round the body, 
and only after it has received 
several bites does the caterpillar 
succumb. 
Those spiders which do not con¬ 
struct webs secure their prey 
either by their wonderful agility, 
or by placing themselves in am¬ 
bush to spring out upon their 
victims as they incautiously ap¬ 
proach, and the species that are 
simply hunters manage to secure 
both winged and wingless insects. 
Subsistence is a precarious thing 
with most of the spiders. The 
web-makers in exposed situations 
are liable to have their webs de¬ 
stroyed, or a spell of wet weather 
may prevent their taking flying 
insects, and the wanderers of the 
race run many risks ; hence it is 
found that all spiders are able to 
endure prolonged fasts, though 
when they have an abundance of 
food within reach they show then j 
selves exceedingly voracious. Some 
of the species have an ingenious 
way of keeping their captives alive, having evidently a dislike to 
insects that are not fresh killed. They do nothing to these prisoners 
they wish to preserve, except to fix them firmly by silken cords in 
a safe position upon the web. where they may struggle ineffectually 
for several days, until the spider thinks fit to wound them with its 
fangs and bear them off to its retreat. Now and then these 
escape from durance, and there are of course insects often en¬ 
tangled in webs which the spiders find it necessary to settle at 
once — the stinging Hymenoptera, for instance. Wasps and 
spiders have at times desperate conflicts, the result being occa¬ 
sionally the death of both combatants. It seems, we may note 
here, to be a fact that when very few insects are obtainable, as 
during some of the winter months, spiders will bite up and devour 
fragments of their own webs. 
Cannibalism is excessively common amongst spiders, and a 
couple are seldom to be observed approaching each other without 
suspicious caution ; yet there are some small species that find 
sufficient food by wandering about the webs of the larger Epeirse 
or garden spiders, taking their minor captures. Possibly they also 
spin little but compact webs amongst the broad circles made by 
their kin. And at the period of their first appearance in the world 
young spiders of many species keep in company; an example 
familiar to most gardeners is that of a common Epeira, the juve¬ 
niles of which are pale yellow with one black spot, noticeable in 
clusters upon walls and palings during the month of May. Until 
they have passed one or more moults they live together amicably, 
forming a web which supplies food and a home. A naturalist 
saw one of these, newly hatched, eject a line a hundred times its 
own length and attach this to a distant point, when, the rest of 
the brood assisting, a broad band of silk was soon constructed. 
The parent spiders have only now and then been observed in the 
act of feeding their progeny, but the jealous affection with which 
they guard their bag of eggs is apparent. They will bear this 
about from one spot to another, and fight for it to the death. 
The spiders (fig. 48) belonging to the family Drassidce are gene¬ 
rally of a dull brown or grey colour, though one of our British species 
— D. micans—displays a metallic brilliancy on the abdomen. They 
are of moderate size, having slim bodies, and live upon walls or 
under stones, also upon trees with decaying bark, and occasionally 
amongst low plants. Each makes for itself a habitation in the 
form of a silken tribe, which is usually open at each end, though 
not always. They obtain their food by hunting. Formerly the 
water spider, Argyroneta aquatica, was placed in this family; but 
Mr. Cambridge removed it to the Agelenidse, since it is a web- 
produccr. This spider is still in request as an adornment for the 
aqua-vivarium, and it is sometimes introduced into ponds on 
lawns if to an extent it has been eclipsed by newer favourites. 
Its habits are particularly interesting, for this species constructs 
a dome-like cell or chamber, which is fastened to the stem of some 
aquatic plant, and to which a supply of air in globules is carried 
down by the spider. The hairs that clothe the body completely 
secure it from getting wet, and by manoeuvring the bubble of air, 
which is always borne about under the water, the spider is as 
much at home under water as upon land. Its researches for food 
