. American spiders and their spinning work. A natural history of the orbweaving spiders of the United States, with special regard to their industry and habits. Spiders. 132 AMERICAN SPIDERS AND THEIR SPINNINGWORK. Uses of Laby- rinth. twelve inches wide, twelve inches high, seven inches deep. The shape and size are of course modified, as with all webs, by the particular features of the site. There is a decided space between the labyrinth and the orb, except that the orb is, with rare exceptions, attached above by its foundation lines to the labyrinth. This is seen in the side view shown at Fig
. American spiders and their spinning work. A natural history of the orbweaving spiders of the United States, with special regard to their industry and habits. Spiders. 132 AMERICAN SPIDERS AND THEIR SPINNINGWORK. Uses of Laby- rinth. twelve inches wide, twelve inches high, seven inches deep. The shape and size are of course modified, as with all webs, by the particular features of the site. There is a decided space between the labyrinth and the orb, except that the orb is, with rare exceptions, attached above by its foundation lines to the labyrinth. This is seen in the side view shown at Fig. 116. The spider is there nested under one of her cocoons. The side attachment of the orb is apt to be upon some of the long guy lines by which the laby- rinth is held in form. It generally extends downward as far as the middle, or a little below the middle point of the orb. The maze serves its little proprietor and factor the following uses: First, it is environment and support for her tent; second, it gives convenient points of suspension for her orb ; third, it provides a safe and convenient nui'- sery within which to hang her cocoons; and, fourth, proves an admirable field upon which the young can find exercise and for- age. I have seen the little fellows, late in the season, scrambling up and down among the inter- lacing lines, picking out here and there minute entangled insects. Fifth, the labyrinth serves as a true snare as well as domicile for the adult spider, for I have seen her capturing small insects that had been caught within the maze, cutting through the lines for that purpose. Her chief dependence for food is, however, upon the orb. Moreover, sixth, the labyrinth must have value as a protective environment for the occupant against raiding mud dauber wasps and other enemies, and for her cocoons against various parasitizing foes, since the tangle of crossed lines certainly raises a formidable barrier against approach of winged in- sects. It might be added, sevent
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectspiders, bookyear1889
