. Evenings at the microscope : or, Researches among the minuter organs and forms of animal life . Zoology; Microscopy; Microscopes. SPIDERS AND MITES. 217 of our well-used Clubiona. It is a cylindrical rod, ending in a rounded point; every part of its surface is studded with stiff, rather long, horny bristles, which, springing from the side, arch inward towards the point. Now this array of spines effectually prevents a false step, for if any part of the leg, which is sufficiently long, only strike the thread, the latter is certain to slip in between the bristles, and thus to catch the leg. But
. Evenings at the microscope : or, Researches among the minuter organs and forms of animal life . Zoology; Microscopy; Microscopes. SPIDERS AND MITES. 217 of our well-used Clubiona. It is a cylindrical rod, ending in a rounded point; every part of its surface is studded with stiff, rather long, horny bristles, which, springing from the side, arch inward towards the point. Now this array of spines effectually prevents a false step, for if any part of the leg, which is sufficiently long, only strike the thread, the latter is certain to slip in between the bristles, and thus to catch the leg. But more precision than this is requisite; especially when we observe with what de- licacy of touch the hinder feet are often used to guide the thread as it issues from the spinnerets; and particularly with what lightning-like rapidity the larger net-weavers will, with the assistance of these feet, roll a dense web of silk around the body of a helpless fly, swathing it up, like an Egyptian mummy, in many folds of cloth, in an instant. Look, then, at the extreme tip of the ultimate joint. Two stout hooked claws of dark horny texture are seen proceeding from it side by side, and a third of smaller size, and more delicate in appearance, is placed between them and on a lower level. The former have their under. CLAWS OF SPIDER. or concave surface set with teeth (eighteen on each in this example), very regularly cut, like those of a comb, which are minute at the commencement of the series near the base of the claw, and gradually increase in length to the tip. These are doubtless sensible organs of touch, feeling and catching the thread; and they, moreover, act as combs, cleansing their limbs, and probably their webs,. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Gosse, Philip Henry, 1810-1888. London : Society for
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