New-York tribune., 1900-08-19
Chiia51enS NH1H1S
SOMETHING ABOUT SPIDERS.

SOHETHING ABOUT SPIDERS.
II the world were not so fun Of little Miss
Muffets the children would know more about
spiders, as there are really more interesting in
sects TO study But the spider will sit
down beside her. then Miss NIuret runs frightened
away.
Now what she ought to do is TO sit perfectly still
and watch the spider and take note Of the inter
esting things it will 60. If it is the garden
spider it will soon suspend itself by silken line
or travel across cable bridge TO the nearest twig
branch.
II is A familiar sight TO Miss Mufet who takes
early morning walks TO come upon the lines
webs Of the gossamer spider. a silken network.
studded with dewdrop diamonds. spread over hedge
and field These gossamers serve as balloons to
the spiders. and the apparent flight OF this wing
less insect from tree to tree across water and
through the upper regions Of air has been al
most as great puzzle to naturalists as the hys
walk the ceiling.
When the weather is dry. warm and still, some
spiders will be hanging motionIess. head
downward. in the centre Of their wheel-like webs
lying in wait for prey. while others. the top OF
the blades Of grass rail posts patiently wait
ing for rising breeze TO assist them in shooting
their lines high into the air. As these silver
threads carried aloft the spiders go along
them, and after while the threads brought
together by the action OF the upper air and gradu
ally assume the shape Of heecy flakes composed Of
irregular silky masses When the upward current
ceases they fall to earth again and numerous
winged insects are found entangIed in them
Other webs for Miss Mufret TO study are those
large. white z is. soping downward into tunnels.
numbers Of which are so frequently seen spread
upon the grass and lower bushes These webs
serve a house TO the spider. who sitting
the mouth of the tunnel. and shaded by the dark
Of the covered way, is ready rush forth and
seize the first unfortunate insect 10 become en-
tangled in the fatal web.
Then there the spiders who make their
houses in curled up leaves often these leaves
used by the mother spider. who il keeping
tender watch over a bagfuI Of eggs
An interesting variety IS the diving spider and
perhaps Miss AIufet has often seen shining through
the a little globe, apparently OF silver. which
forms the perfectly dry apartment OF the diving
spider in which like mermaid or sea nympn,
it resides in comfort and, uumoved by storms, IL
devours its prey at ease. II builds its house oy
to leaves of water plants to form the frame work
Of its chamber over these il spreads transpar-
bubble with air at the surface. and then plunges
down to the bottom OF the pond. where II IS able
TO breathe for a long time, and feed upon the
water bugs
Interesting stories in the mythology OF the ancient
Greeks II is the story Of a contest between
The goddess was Minerva, the daughter OF
Jupiter. and was called the goddess OF Wisdom
The mortal was Arachne a maiden so sklful IN
weaving and embroidery that the nyInphs would
leave their groves and fountains 10 come and gaze
To watch her as she took the wool in It's rude
and formed II into rolls separated IL with
her fingers and carded il till IL looked light and
soft as a cloud or twirled the spindle with s@kfq @
touch. would have said that Minerva herself
had taught her But this she denied and angrlIy
said: .
Let Minerva try her skill with mine and if
beaten l Will pay the penalty
Minerva heard this and was displeased Assun-
ing the form OF an old woman, she went ana gave
Arachne some friendly advice, saying;
y have had much experience, and hope you
will not dispute my counsel ChatehSe your leI-
low mortals you Will, but do not compete with
a goddess. On the contrary, 1 advise you TO ask
her forgiveness for what have said, and. as
Arachne stopped her spinning and looked at the
old dame with anger in her eountsnance-
maids" said she: for my part, know Wnat say
ard I stand it. I not afraid of the god
She comes said Minerva, and, dropping heF dis
gufse stood confessed The nymphS belt low IL
homage and all the hystanders paid reverence A
sudden color dyed Arachne's cheek ana tnen sne
Then they proceeded 20 the contest Each took
her station and attached the web 10 the beam.
Then the slender shuttle passed in and out
among the thTeaCs Both worked VITA snssd, ana
each w0ve g wonderful picture ATaChae hlled her
errors of the gOds Minerva was forced 10 admire
struck the web with her shuttle and rent il in
pieces She then touched tne IcFehetC OF +ArSchIle
and made feel her guilJ and shame so much
that she went and hanged herself
Minerva pitied her as sne saw ne hanging by a
Live guilty woman said she. "and that you
may preserve the memory or tntS teSsOn, continue
10 hang you and your descendants. 70 all future
She sprfnkfed Araehne with the Juices of aconite
ana ears likewise Her form shrank Up and her
head grew smaller yet Her fingers grew 10 her
SIDES and served for legs. All the rest of her vas
body. of which she spun her thread NoW
when we see the spider suspended in this way
know il IS in the same position as Arachne was
when transformed by Minerva