He loves not words, but matter; 'tis his pleasure
To buy his wares by weight, and not by measure.
THE TRAP-DOOR SPIDER.
There are few insects of such extraordinary habits as the Trap-door Spider, and the following account of it by Professor Jones is so interesting, that we are glad to extract it from his excellent work on insect Architecture:—
TRAP-DOOR SPIDER.
In the Ionian islands, and also in the West Indies [as well as in the south of France, and in Corsica], there are found certain spiders (Cteniza) commonly known as Trap-door Spiders, which make a cylindrical nest in the earth, and cover the entrance with a door of their own construction, framed of alternate layers of silk and earth, and fastened to the opening by a hinge of stout silk. These spiders also line their nests throughout with numerous layers of silken web to the thickness of stout cartridge paper, and finish it with the greatest care. This beautiful lining is yet further strengthened in particular parts, where the nest is likely to be exposed to danger. But the greatest amount of skill and care is bestowed upon the trap-door and its silken hinge. The door is about the eighth of an inch thick, rough on the outside, not much unlike an oyster-shell, which it also resembles in being thick and strong near the hinge, but thinner towards the circumference. The breadth of this hinge is various, but sometimes it is very considerable, as shown in the figure accompanying. It also possesses great elastic force, so that, on being opened, it closes again of itself. This is principally accomplished by a fold or doubling of the web, at each end of the hinge, which permits the door to be opened nearly to a right angle with the aperture, but no further, unless violence be used. The underside of the door is perfectly smooth and firm, being shaped so as to fit accurately, and yet to offer no resistance when pushed open by the insect.
