372 APTKRA. 
Mother, The spider weaves a loose 
elastic bag, which is secured to the 
ground, at the bottom of the water ; and 
by a coat of transparent varnish, it renders 
this bag air-tight. Then, rising to the 
surface of the water, and sucking in a 
portion of air from the atmosphere, it 
returns to the bottom, introduces the air 
into the bag, and again ascends for a 
fresh supply ; repeating this process till 
the bag, or air-chamber, is sufficiently 
distended. There the spider lives ; it 
can go out at pleasure to seek its prey, 
but returns home to devour it at leisure. 
Lucy, I suppose these spiders feed 
only on the little creatures, which are 
found in the water? 
Mother, They hunt on dry ground 
with equal ease, but they always dive, 
with whatever food they procure, to their 
aerial abode in the water. 
Lucy, Is not that beautiful shining 
silk, with which the fields are sometimes 
covered, made by a spider ? 
Mother, Yes ; the gossamer, which 
