Page:The Life of the Spider.djvu/235

 research. The smallest garden contains Epeiræ, all accomplished weavers.

In my enclosure, which I have stocked carefully with the most famous breeds, I have six different species under observation, all of a useful size, all first-class spinners. Their names are the Banded Epeira (Epeira fasciata .), the Silky Epeira (E. sericea, .), the Angular Epeira (E. angulata, .), the Pale-tinted Epeira (E. pallida, .), the Diadem Epeira, or Cross Spider (E. diadema, .), and the Crater Epeira (E. cratera, .).

I am able, at the proper hours, all through the fine season, to question them, to watch them at work, now this one, anon that, according to the chances of the day. What I did not see very plainly yesterday I can see the next day, under better conditions, and on any of the following days, until the phenomenon under observation is revealed in all clearness.

Let us go every evening, step by step, from one border of tall rosemaries to the next. Should things move too slowly, we will sit down at the foot of the shrubs, opposite the rope-yard, where the light falls favourably, and watch with unwearying attention. Each