A MANUFACTURER 
65 
hunting weapon? ” he ended triumphantly, as an 
abrupt turn in the path disclosed to view a large 
upright web, which spanned the little brooklet 
from bank to bank, being made strong and fast 
by secure moorings to the flags and rushes which 
overhung the stream on either side. 
“My word!” ejaculated Tommy in surprise. 
“ It might do for a tennis net in a pinch! What 
does the spider need of such an extensive affair? ” 
“ I think perhaps she is ambitious and loves a 
fine house,” Uncle John returned, “ though, of 
course, the larger the web the more sure she is of 
not having to go to bed supperless. At best, you 
know, the creatures who are foolish enough to 
rush pell-mell into a web must be rather few and 
far between.” 
“ Certainly she is an artisan of rare merit,” 
said Alice admiringly. “ Just see how symmet¬ 
rical and well proportioned her work is! The 
spokes spread out from the center like an extra 
stout wagon wheel, and the cords or cross-bars 
run around in an almost perfect spiral. And 
look at that thick, wide ribbon running zigzag 
across the spokes from the center toward the 
lower corner! I suppose that is her trade-mark, 
Uncle John? No doubt those queer little marks 
crisscrossed in the silk spell something in spider 
chirography. I wish we could read them! ” 
“ Very probably they stand for banded spider,” 
