Hardwicke's science-gossip : an illustrated medium of interchange and gossip for students and lovers of nature . Fig. 60. Young of Tegenaria atrica. Diadem spider {Epeira diademd). The relative sizeof these creatures will be seen by referring to figs. 60and 61, which represent the outlines of two speci-mens now before me. The Tegenaria figured is asmall specimen, but, like all her kindred, was of afearless nature; and when her web was agitated. Fig. 61. Epeira diadema with a spike of grass, would boldly seize it with herjaws, and allow herself to be drawn to the marginof her web before she wou
Hardwicke's science-gossip : an illustrated medium of interchange and gossip for students and lovers of nature . Fig. 60. Young of Tegenaria atrica. Diadem spider {Epeira diademd). The relative sizeof these creatures will be seen by referring to figs. 60and 61, which represent the outlines of two speci-mens now before me. The Tegenaria figured is asmall specimen, but, like all her kindred, was of afearless nature; and when her web was agitated. Fig. 61. Epeira diadema with a spike of grass, would boldly seize it with herjaws, and allow herself to be drawn to the marginof her web before she would loose her hold—endeavouring at the same time to prevent herselffrom being pulled forward—presenting a ludicrousresemblance to a youug puppy which holds on to ahandkerchief or stick, and allows itself to be draggedabout. As soon as the edge of the web was reached,my dusky friend always scampered back to her den. 84 HARDWICKES SCIENCE-GOSSIP. [Apkil 1,1S63. The food of the Tegenaria consists of any creatureunfortunate enough to fall into her snare, from thesize of an ant, up to a good-sized beetle. Unlike theDiadem spider, which envelopes her victim in awinding-sheet before feasting on its juices; or theTheridion, which entangles the limbs of the en-trapped insect—the Tegenaria, with the rapidity ofan arrow, pounces upon her prey, and seizing it inher enormously powerful falces, despite its struggles,carries it to her chamber of
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