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Arachnida. 
THE DIVING SPIDER, (Argyroneta aquatica,) 
Is another kind, which forms a sort of tent by stretch- 
ing its threads between the stems of aquatic plants far 
below the surface. In this den it dwells, and here it 
devours the prey which it captures during its excursions ; 
and in order to provide a stock of air for its respiration, 
it carries down successive small portions entangled 
amongst the hairs of its abdomen. This process is 
exactly similar to that by which diving-bells used to 
be supplied with air, and indeed the dome-like habi- 
tation of this Spider is constructed precisely on the 
same principle as the diving-bell. 
There are also several kinds of Water Mites, the most 
abundant of which is of a rich red colour, and grows to 
nearly the bulk of a pea. It may commonly be seen 
swimming among the plants in pools and ditches. 
«3K^ 
THE TAKANTULA. (Lycosa Tarantula.) 
This Spider is a native of the South of Europe. It lives 
iu fields, and its dwelling is about four inches deep in the 
ground, half an inch wide, and closed at the mouth with 
a net. They lay about seven hundred and thirty eggs, 
which are hatched in the spring. These Spiders do 
not live quite a year; the parents never survive the 
winter. 
