Abstract
SOME time since I observed the following conduct of two spiders, which will show how they sometimes overcome difficulties in the way of capturing their prey. A rather large house-spider had its web in the corner of a room, and during the summer it feasted upon the insects that were unlucky enough to be caught. One evening I noticed a large dipterous insect strike the web; the spider darted out and succeeded in fastening one foot of the fly. The spider then kept running back and forth, attaching a thread to a wing, then to a leg, which was soon broken by the violent efforts of the fly to release itself. The sipider worked without ceasing for over half an hour to secure its victim; it then quitted operations, and retired to a distant corner of its web. After seeming to reflect for a while what was best to do, it left the web, went up the wall eight or ten inches distant, and entered a crack in the ceiling. I supposed at the time that the spider had been injured in the scuffle, but what was my surprise after a few moments to see the spider coming back, and close behind another followed; the two went on the web near the centre, and stopped side by side, apparently consulting as to the best mode of attack. Then at the same instant both spiders darted upon the insect, one towards the head, the other towards the tail. So rapid were their movements I could hardly follow them. In a short time the insect was securely fastened. Both spiders then returned to the centre of the web. Soon after the friendly spider went to the crack in the ceiling, while the other enjoyed the feast alone.
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M., A. Intellect in Brutes. Nature 21, 494 (1880). https://doi.org/10.1038/021494c0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/021494c0
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