180 ' NATURAL HISTORY, 
from one tree to another, but this is a miftake, for when fhe fixes ong 
end of a thread to a brarich, or anv other fubftance, then with her two 
hind paws the draws out one or more threads from the nipples, three 
or four yards in length, which fhe lets float in the air: thefe threads 
being driven by the wind on one fide or other, to fome neighbouring 
body, as for inftance, a houfe, a rail, or a tree, or a take on the other 
fide of a river; this thread fixes itfelf thereto, by its natural clammi- 
nefs ; then fhe draws it a little, to fee whether it is faft or nat, and then 
this becomes a bridge, on which the Spider can pafs or repafs at plea- 
fure: this done, fhé doubles or triples the thread, according to her 
own fancy; and then advancing towards the middle thereof, fhe there 
fixes another, and lets herfelf down with it, till the meets with a {tone 
or plant, or any other folid fubftance, on which fhe may ref. She 
re-afcends on the fecond thread to the firft, and then begins a third, 
which fhe fixes in the fame manner. When the has thus fixed three 
threads, fhe ftrengthens them, by making them double: then the en- 
deavours, to find out a fquare place, which is not very hard to do, and 
which is owing to the artificial management of the threads. However: 
it.is remarkable, that the never leaves off fpinning, while the paffes: 
backward and foreward: then fhe goes to the right and left, and by 
this means forms a fquare, or a figure approaching thereto; then the: 
weaves a crofs in the fame manner, whofe point in the middle, becom-. 
ing the center, from which fhe lays all the reft of her threads, like fo. 
many fpoaks of a wheel. She places herfelf at the center, where all: 
_ thefe threads crofs each, and then fhe forms a {mall circle round about 
- it, and then another, and fo on, proceeding always in a circular man- 
mer, till at length fhe. comes to the large threads, which fupport the 
whole work. : : ae as - 
The net being thus fpread, the Places herfelf at the center of all 
thefe circles, with her head downwards, becaufe her belly, which is 
fixed to a very flender peck, would fatigue her too much in any pof- 
ture; whereas in this, her paws and breait fupport the belly. ‘There 
the waits for her prey, but feldom very long; for the air being full of 
Flies and Gnats, that pafs backwards and forewards, fome of them 
foon fall into the net. When the Flie that is taken is {mall, it is dif- 
patched upon the {pot, but when it is large, and makes fome refiftances 
the Spider wraps it up with her web, binding it fo faft, that it is not 
able to ftir either legs or wings, and then fhe carries it to her nefts 
which is underneath the web, and the hides it under leaves, or a tile, 
or fome other commodious fhelter, to keep it from the rain. 
__As for the black Spiaer that lodges in cavities, the only weaves a fort 
of.a web about the mouth, leaving a round hole in the middle, as a 
door to go in and out at. When an infec pailes near the place, it 
never fails to. move one of the threads which run out of all fides, like 
fo many rays; which the Spider having notice of where the lies in waits 
immediately runs to catch it. This Spider is more mifchievous than 
the,reit ; for if the is taken up with. two fticks, or otherwife, the will 
be, fure to bite the inftrument thatholds her. She is alfo much hard- . 
er-than the reft, fo that a Walp for inftance, which by its fting, and 
by the hardnefs of its body, puts the other fort toa great deal of troubles 
can make no impreflion upon this; for the black Spider cannot be pe~ 
OO sd hal WEE Ear ee eS newrated 
