TO-DAY’S NATURE NOTE

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 108, 31 January 1935, Page 8

TO-DAY’S NATURE NOTE

Catching a Meal Although the catching of an insect by a spider is an every-day occurrence, one uevc- tires of studying Hie ingeniousnciS’S of H e spider. One evening, at dusk, I noticed a large i'at moth dash with terrific' impact into a small spider’s Web, and although tearing a large hole in the structure it was held by one tangled strand. The spider then descended, full of confidence, and dealt with Hie moth in the usual efficient manner, binding it up by placing the wings along the bodyanil lashing them securely with about twenty complete turns' of silken thread. The spider, a very small one, apprelicnsivelv wntehed from bis lair, lest the web give wav at the moth’s spasmodic struggles. He made several attempts to l-et 'to the prey, but, fearing disaster, turned back. Then when there was a temporary hill in the moth’s activities he dashed in, quickly attached new guy rope", scrambled back to safe ground, and made fast to a solid portion of the "fl’iie problem of hoisting about a foot a load fully eight times the spider’s wei"ht gave I'ttlo concern, for with scientific precision Hie guy ropes were secured to vantage points, and with block and tackle effect the prize was hoisted home slowly but surely.—E. IL. Westport.

"The Dominion" invites readers to send deserWions in not more than 200 words of- their ■d’slrvations from Nature. .4 t'lise of five s'vlhniis is niven each week for the best contribution received. Address; Nature Note, "The Dominion," Wellington.