The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-12-01
WHO Taught Them.

In the autumn time We cannot walk along
our garden paths without brushing through
the webs which spiders have spun across, but
perhaps we never think of the beautiful little
/ specimen of weaving We have damaged greatly.
When the spider begins her web she makes
J her foundation of one or two threads doubled
and rcdoubled, then she draws threads in every
direction and crosses them again with others
until the work is completed. Then she makes
her den--a little apartment lined with the same
silky stuff which she spins into her web, and
from here she darts out to secure any luckles3
| little fly who Is caught.
1t is not easy to get the small body OF the
captive away without tearing the web, but the
spider manages so as to injurc ii as little as
possible For this purpose she cuts her web
lust round where the poor fly il caught, and
afterwards ii is beautifully mended.
Delicate, indeed, is the cordage Of this web;
what, then, are the instruments used in pro
ducing it! These are only the claws Of the
spiders feet with these II guides and arranges
the glutnous threads "a they are drawn from
the spinners.
The number OF tbrc5 of which q single
thread is formed contributes greatly to It's
strength. Rope-making resembles this pro
cess; and, the end o! a thread, by being spread
out is made to grasp more firmly the object to
which it is attached.
/ Spiders thread NAV often be observed float
ing in the air, and stretched across Il road or
brook. 1t is produced by the gossamer spider
for. having no wings wherewith to fly, nor the
power of darling like some other insects, a
considerable distance, this little creature is en-
abled to form balloon, with which it can rise
to great height In this aerial navigation
the little creature floats with its back down
ward, and its legs folded; and thus reposing
at its ease, up borne by steamers OF silken
threads, il commits itself Ia the upper air. One
naturalist states that when he assembled high
tower he saw these insects above him
Some species show great skill in building
They hollow out cells, they bore galleries
lthey make vaults; they build, as it were
bridges; they construct entrances to their habi
Itations. They even adapt doors to these en
frances which work beautifully on hinge
On looking within, We find extreme neatness
The soil in which these dwellings are found
may be humid, but no water can enter them
The walls are nicely covered with a tapestry OF
silk, having the lustrc Of satin, and of n daz
cling whitencss.
!. Another spider choose q kind of red earth
, about three inches deep. The wall of the TUBE
, is covered with kind of smooth mortar. This
coat is very thin and soft 10 the touch but be
fore the spider makes it, she covers the earthly
Iplaster-WOTk Win u Court NcH on NnlCh snt
CLUES her silken tapestry.
II Who taught these deSpiscd insects how &c
build for themselves such wonderful homes
and to spread such beautiful nets over the
ground and stretch them from tree TO tree
Naturalists say that il Is instinct, but this came
from God. and in their works We see the hand
of q woodworking God. Well did the Psalm
list cxclaim, 40 Lord how wonderful are thy
works. in wisdom hast thou made them all
the earth Is full OF thy riches"
MY dear. diu lhicl feel III ,hock :" asked
Mr. Seasonby, as he entered the house without
, hat OF coal, and Que boot in his hand. How
could feel other than shocked at seeing YOU
Icomc home (herc the clock struck 4. M in
such plightt" MY darthcling, I'm bully
glad YOU feltit was josh thinkin' (hic) What
I'll go home an tell Ia ole wom-(hic) mean
! lmy dearcsh Wife, that III earthquake upset my
whole head an made me dizzer'n sayin''
a. z. a.. -. - n