argyroneta

[Gr. ἄργύρος ( arguros ) = silver, and po ibly νητός ( nētos ) = heaped up, from véw (neo) = to heap; or νητός ( nētos ) = spun, from νέω (neo) = to spin.] A genus of spiders belonging to the family Araneidæ. The A. aquatic a, or Diving Spider, weaves for itself a bell-shaped dwelling at the bottom of the water, to which it descends with its prey to devour it. It carries down air entangled among the hairs which cover its body, and sets bubble after bubble free inside its abode till there is sufficient for respiration; for, provided with lungs and not with gills, it cannot breathe after the manner of a fish in the water. THE DIVING SPIDER.