The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-06-13

II Vas obvious to those who cNperi
mented with the web that there was
tissue of silk contained ina its himy
threads. bui how 10 g.. hold or th'"l
I'm any way that could Dee use of use ln
manufacturing silk fabric was tine prob
lem. That problem ras now been soiN'"
by VI. Cachot French chemist VINO
claims the reward.
The silk worm works In a different
way from the spider. IL Us not loiso"-
ou- and Is peaceful Ina it. nature ana
habits. The SILK worm Is easily impris-
.n,d and does as well in confinement
as in the natural state. SIX worms
thrive in "a paper box or 20 bureau draw
Ct. and if fed mulberry leaves ask noin-
ing better or further in the nature OF
diet They live fer years giving Out
the cocoons of valuable silk threads
10 any one who Will take them, ana
constantly increasing in number for tn'y
breed fast.
The common spider on the other hand.
f. "A Wild animal. 10 is warlke in ll9
nature and fierce I'm its attacks. us shofi
mandibles are provided with sharp
claw-like end. through which venom
flows. and hy which il gives out sharp
deadly stines when attacked. spiders
too. are carnivorous, and demand l"-
eacts for their diet. and water Ihey
eat every species of animalculae ANA
will not live without live food.
Nevertheless. such are the possibii-
ties of the spider web that scientists
have worked constantly at the fibre To
secure it,
Al cachot recently invited a company
of manufacturers 10 his laboratory W
inspect the workings of the spider in
ny ID
a network of thread for use in making
fabric.
When they arrived they were taken
into "a room lighted in the dimmcst way.
When their eyes grew accustomed 10 t"'
light they saw I'm tho corner OF the room'
running from the floor 10 the ceiling,
q queer arrangement Of bohhins worked
hv "a dynamo. They turned noiscicssiy
and with rapidity constantly winding
"A thread and becoming thicker with tine
revolutions At the other Side of the
room sat am operator turning ON """
OF the power at viii.
Looking further up ON the wall they
saw "A great quantity of large spiders.
closely resembling the Madagascar spi-
ders. They had long mandibles and an
immense abdomen. from the rear end OF
which issues threads As the threads
tame from them thc bobbns wound II
and thus secured long strands OF the un-
broken thread.
when they had done expressing their
surprise 40 the strange sight. NJ. 'achot
explained 10 am to them.
The web OF the spider IL seems. is
not quite ass strong ass the web OF the
silk worm The spider. moreover. does
rnf lHN ii- rrl- ~ HS deep % cocoon "3
the slk worn. nor does it undergo the
b. o..
10 was impossible to secure the his
'hrcadv cocoons as boz the case of the
SIX worm. nor could the thread be gath
cred DOB any way suitable for winding
when made into web 70 became hope
lessly tangled and unfit Tor usc-
NJ. Cachot therefore thought OF way
~ making machine that would take
the web from the spider as he spun II.
Tiny hohbns were fitted with running
gear into which the web was first
caught After ollie fastening 10 possess
"a sufficient strength to- Withstand any
pull that the spider might put upon ~.
The nature of the insect is such tlat.
no matter how often 10 is robbed of hts
thread. 10 Keeps con- spinning a new web
and is 70 source of constant supply 90
any machine That can wind 10 off
The color OF the web when first spun
a. pale gray almost the color OF fnc
atmosphere and is tGe best known tnt
for any raw material 90 have. as II
takes coloring matter easily.
The common house spider answers the
same purpose as the Madagascar spider
but for practical working the larger
spider is preferred. as ITS thread is larger
and the work OF keeping 80 captive IS
no greater
In catching tho thread from the insect
n Is found that the best place is a wooden
wall dark and damp enough for iupls-
tening the thread. The spider spins hes,
where water drops into his web. and -
most prolific I'm webbing where there are
loose rafters and lcsky spots In roof or
ceiling
A bobbin a. large - big peanut is
not too much for a spider 70 spin IN
week. and as there Is no cost beyond
that OF the machinery, IL is paying IN
vsstnent.
The only food required 10 . diet OF