The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1898-12-02
SPIDER ARCHITECTS.
fsass - the Most Dainty House n
the World-Testing . webs
Strength.

4oGE6 0IC lew AACAAAOCiS Va eAAN s~AAA>~'e-A
Kingdom whose work is more marvellous
than that of the geometric spider and
those related TO him. DR.. Henry Laney.
II Cumberland. Md, who does consider
sble experimenting along scientific
lines for a pastime, has lately been
ssudying the thelyphonides. species
OF spider that builds its web over water
along streams and rivers, with interest
Ing results.
After securing the web, which, in its
natural state, IL comparatively invis-
jble for Photographic purposes, DIR.
Laney proceeded first to make it tena-
cious by spraying it with an alcoholic
solution Of shellac from a medical At
onaIxer. Though still comparatively in
Visible after this treatment the web
could be handled with ease. withou,
fear Of tearing it. To develop the beau
siful work of the spider DR.. Laney, with
another atomizer, sprayed the web with
Q solution of gallo acid, which made it
appear as il frost had settled upon 1t.
The web now seemed to be covered with
the mornings dew. To complete the
s4Iect DR.. Laney captured the spider.
put him in the death box and then
coated him with shellac. Deity plac.
ing the insect in the web in natural
position, he was sprayed win gallo
acid. Using black velvet as back
ground DR.. Lauey succeeded in photo
graphing one of the most beautiful and
delicate pictures found in nature.
Dr.. Laney says: 1.-THE spider displays
wonderful intelligence and mechanical
skill In making these nets. Its instinct
10 far above that of the ordinary ami
NAL; indeed. 1t quite borders on reason.
When large spider desires to make q
web for himself and he has some dis
lance to stretch it, he does not swing
himself, IA most people suppose. and let
the wind or his own momentum take
hin where it will. He begins his web
ty starting the first guy very close vi.
to the corner of the angle. He attaches
10 the other side of the angle, making
, short guy. Each guy increases in
length, the spider always using the last
guy MADE to carry the next one over
until he attains the position in which
le wishes to place his net The last
guy may be ten feet long and the first
one only a foot in length.
"When the guys are all fixed to his
satisfaction he proceeds to put in the
network by starting from the center,
where he attaches his web, then with
circular motion travelling from guy 10
guy, spinning web Us he goes and by it's
natural moisture sticks it to each guy.
carefully carrying the web in his hind
feet, to prevent it from touching eX-
ccpt Mt the point desired by him. When
he has a small distance Of the inside
completed he goes to the outside of the
act and finishes out any irregular par:
Of the net that does not come within the
radius Of circle. After the circle bias
been attained the same rotary motion
II kept up until the net is finished to the
center.
Here comes the most comic feature
~ net building-the test of the durabi!-
Dty of the work by the spider himself.
As soon as the net is finished. he puts
every guy through the severest test. by
. sharp, brisk jerks. seemingly sufficient
10 tear the whole net TO pieces. If he
finds the web is not taut. he will go y
. the end of the guy rope. stretch it until
the net suits him and reattach the guy.
il the net still seems loose from the
center. the guy will be carried from the
e center to some convenient point. to give
The net its proper shape.
1.-THE nets are perched SO as to catch
mosquitoes and small insects. The
struggles Of the prey generally serious
" damage the nets. The spider him.
self In the morning demo,ishes the rest
Of the web for the day. with the excer
ton of the main guy ropes. retires to a
secluded quarter and again appears late
In the afternoon, about 1880 or Ave
o'clock. and renews his net It requires
him about un hour and a half to cor
struct the ordinary web. This work il
done every day. rain or shine. and bot,
male and female spiders are equally in
: 4uStrious. The baby spiders are taught
Industry. beginning net building right
after their birth. While building his
net the spider takes no notice of the ac-
emulation of insect life in its meshes.
and when his work of building is fin
ished he ponnces upon them ravenous-
", consuming them in toto. You can
not knock or blow these spiders out ct
their nets. nor can they be taken I'M
awares. When they fall their own ne.
T. attached To them. and they can al
,nost touch the water and then quickly
run back on the silken string which
they spun while falling. The web is
always attached to them. When the
man guy Of the net becomes too full
Ut insect debris for convenience and