The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-11-18

Ms Wesdsrfsl work Made Known by
Maryland Naturalist.

From the Baltimore sun. +.
DIR. Henri Laney Of Cumberland. who
does considerable experimenting along
scientific lines for a pastime. has late
ly been studying the thelphonides, q
species of spider that builds its web
over water along streams and rivers.
with Interesting results His
les In some respects have been wonder
full. The Investigation was made for
h purpose OF getting photographs Of
the web for a lecture on entomology
before a scientific club.
After experimenting. DIR. Laney found
the spider commonly known as the wat
er spider to be a willing, obedient work
err; that by changing the position Of the
insect to a point ne wanted him to work
In The spider would proceed with mis-
labor In a most accommodating man.
ner, as IL nothing had happened. DIR.
Laney made q small wooden frame
work. n In this he coaxed the spider
to spin his web. Naturally, spider webs
are not generally located conveniently
for Photographic purposes. and DIR. La
ney conceived the idea OF a frame for
the web that he could move to any
place. so as to secure proper light and
conditions for a photograph. The will
ling worke DIR. Laney found along a
creek near Cumberland. where he car
rieu on MS investigation.
After securing the web. which, in Its
natural state. is comparatively invisi-
BILE for Photographic purposes. DIR. La
ney proceeded first to make IL tenacious
by spraying II with an alcoholic solu-
ton of shellac from a medical atom
izer. Though still comparatively invis-
ible after this treatment. the web could
be handled with ease without fear of
tearing IL. To develop the beautiful
work OF the spider. DIR. Laney. with
an atomizer. sprayed the web with a
solution of gallo acid. hich made II
appear as IL frost had settled upon II.
The web now seemed to be covered
with the mornings dew To complete
the effect. DIR. Laney captured the spi-
der. put him in the death box. and then
coated him with shellac. Deity plac-
ing the insect In the web in a natural
position. he was sprayed with gallo
acid. Using black velvet as a back
ground. DIR. Laney succeeded in photo
graphing one of the most beautiful and
delicate pictures In nature.
DR.. Laney says: THE spiders display
wonderful intelligence n mechanical
skill in making these nets. Their in
stinct Is far above that OF the ordinary
animal: indeed, IL quite borders on rea-
son. When a large spider desires to
maxi n web for himself and he has some
ulStdnCt I StTtttn u, lie ubtS NOT SNllk
himself. as most people suppose. and let
the wind or his W momentum take
him where IL will. He begins his web
by starting the first guy very close up
to the corner OF the angle. He attaches
To the other side of the angle. making a
short guy. Each guy increases I'm length,
the spider always using the last guy
made to carry the next one over until
he attains the position I'm hic he
wishes to place his net. The last guy
may be 10 feet long and the first one
only a foot in length.
THE last two guys become the sup
port of the net. These will each be re-
inforced by at least six strands, all
aid in the one cable, for the thorough
support of the net. After this the spider
travels to the point on the cable from
which he wants to locate his net, at
taches the web to that point and let's
drop to the next guy. thereby laying the
first angle guy OF the net. Then he
crawls back over this same guy to the
top again and repeats the act until he
has spun eight strands. which make 80
angular divisions In the net. All spiders.
as / have observed. make the same kind
Of a net, with the same number of
strands and divisions.
Now hi proceeds to put in the net
work by starting from the center,
where he attaches his WEB, then with a
circular motion. travelling from guy to
guy, spinning web as he goes, and by
it's natural moisture sticks IL to each
guy. carefully carrying the web in his
hind feet to prevent IL from touching
except at the point desired by him.
When he has a small distance Of the in
side completed he goes to the outside of
the net and finishes out any irregular
part Of the net hat does not come
within the radius of a circle. After the
circle has been attained h same ro-
tary motion Is kept up until the net Is
finished to the center.
Here comes the o comic feature
of net building-the test of the durabil-
ity 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
to tear the whole net to pieces. The
spiders antics just then are certainly
amusing. IL the spider finds the web
Is not taut. he will go to the end of
the guy rope. stretch IL until II suits
him. and reattach the guy III the net
still seems loose from the center the
guy will be carried from the center TO
some convenient point to give h net
it's proper shape. This Is only done
when necessary. displaying the great
intelligence OF the insect"