Page 107 - The Miracle in the Spider

The Miracle of Creation 107

One of the spiders known for the most effective use of the vibration-
transmitting properties of its web is the monkey spider, or funnel-web spider

hairs is attached to a nerve ending. Vibrations resulting from touch, or
even sound and smell, stimulate these hairs. The trembling of the hairs
activates the nerve endings. The nerves then rapidly transmit the message
to the brain. In this way spiders become aware of even the smallest
vibration.
Spiders cannot perceive motionless prey, but by deciphering the
vibrations given off by living things, they can work out where the insects
are on the web. If the spider is not entirely certain where on the web the
insect is, it establishes where the insect has landed by putting its legs on
the web, tapping it and making it sway. From the resulting vibrations it