The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1885-09-05

and one which man will probably never
surpass. 1t is the useful siiken line
again, here turned to 4 new purpose.
We may see these lines occasionally
floating in great numbers through the
air, though we usually fail to see the
captain spider, seated comfortably at
one end of his flying ship.
Close observation has shown how
this is done. y young gentleman spider,
who has taken fancy to see the world
stations himself on some good holding
locality, and begins to send out fine
thread from his spinnerets. As it grows
longer and longer, the faint breeze
catches and drags at it. But the spider
clings firmly to his support. 1t is not
long enough yet for his purposes. As
the line grows longer and floats upward
on the wind, it pulls more strongly.
But moi till he feels that it is able to
bear his weight docs he let 60. In
medlately away he scars, high and far
through the free fields of air.
The light line of spider silk answers
to the gas Of the balloon. Not until
the tug Of gas or silk is strong enough
does the aeronaut let go his hold upon
Mother Earth and mount upward to-
ward the stars. When tired with his
flight, the balloonist lets part of his gas
escape, and descends to the earth. How
is it with the flying spider2 We do not
know, but it is quite likely that he
draws in part Of his line, until the remain
der is not quite able to bear his weight,
and SO descends gently toward the
earth.
Water no more checks the rowing
tastes Of Our cnterprising friends than
does the air. They may be seen to run
as lightly over its surface as on dry
land. And as spiders invented the first
ilying-machine, SO did they the first
diving bell. 1t is no uncommon sight
TO see a spider descend below the sur
face and remain under water for a long
time, sometimes for several hours. He
takes the air with him, just as the diver
does in his bell. But the insect has the
better contrivance of the two. He needs
no boat-load of other spiders above him
to pump down fresh air. He takes
enough with him to last during his
whole trip.
In some cases our spider goes fur
Their than this. He builds little un.
der,water cave, attached to the side of
some water plant, and opening down.
ward. This he fills with air, which is
taken down bubble by bubble, until it
closely resembles the diving bell made
by man. Here the eggs ire laid, and
the young are born, safely removed from
all the dangers of the dry land, and
with air enough to keep them in breath
ing material, until they are old enough
to desert their water palace and come
ashore.
Again we may look upon the spider
as the builder of the first suspension
bridge. lie quickly filings a bridge
across the chasm, and runs lightly over.
1t is the ubiquitous web again. He
quickly spins line, throws it out on
the air, perhaps first deciding on the
right direction of the wind. The silken
line floats until 1t strikes some object
on the other side of the chasm, to
which it Immediately becomes fastened
by its gummy surface. There is moth
ing now to do but to break OIL the line
and attach it to the surface on which
he stands, and the rope bridge is COM
plctc. The whole job of bridge build
ing may not have occupied minute,
yet it answers the spiders purpose as
well as human bridges which are years
in the building.
Finally, we may look upon our spider
as himself a miner. Certain species
cxcavate the earth to a greater depth
in comparison with their sizes than man
has done in his deepest mines. These
under ground excavations are not left
rough, damp, and uncouth, but are
lined with delicate silken tapestry,
which keeps them deliciously dry, VAIN,
and smooth. Nor are they left open
at the top, but are covered with trap
door, hinged at one side.