SPIDER'S WEBS

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1641, 14 May 1925, Page 3

SPIDER'S WEBS

A new light has been brought to

bear upon the wonderful ways of spiders. An enthusiastic lis+ener-in has found in their webs a similarity to the aerials used for wireless. It has, however, long 'been known that the webs of certain spiders are intensely sensitive, and can pick up the faintest messages. When the keeper of the spiders at the London Zoological Gardens wishes to communicate with his charges he uses an ordinary tuning fork, striking it very gently, and producing sounds like the buzzing of a fly. The messages are received by Mrs Spider while she is seated comfortably in her parlour. The "lead-in" from the web or aerial is remarkably like the "lead-in" used for wireless. One type of indoor aerial (writes E. W. Walters in the Daily News) takes the form of a spider's web, as it presents itself to the casual observer. Close examination of a spider's web reveals intricacies of design and construction that make the imitation 'look absurd. A spider's web is so delicate, yet so effectively firm, so clever in ■construction and sensitive in mechanism, that it ranks among the highest work of instinctive art. In erecting a web or aerial the spider first lays down a num'ber of foundation lines, which are, of course .subject to the influence of air currents. Having secured a number of these lines the spider forms the radii which intersect in the centre. This done, the spider, beginning from the centre, works outwards in a wide spiral, and thus constructs the scaffolding. Later, beginning at the circumference, and working inwards., the spider lays down the viscid spirals on which the efficiency of the web depends. The lead-in to Mrs Spider's snug parlour is of comparatively simple construction. General news relating to all that concerns spiderdom is also received. Most thrilling of all the messages received by lady spiders are the loving overtures of the gallant males, who cause the lady's aerial to convey gentle, but unmistakable, messages of love. But lady spiders are not easily won. They are extremely exacting, and very short-tempered. A male spider who would prove victorious in love must pass from gentle "wireless" messages to remarkable feats of strength and endurance.