The variations between the webs of different species are chiefly in the central portion. In the webs of _hortorum_ (p. 191), _gibberosa_ (p. 177), and _placida_ (p. 178), which spend most of their time in the web, the close part of the inner spiral is very large, circular, and finely finished, usually showing no trace of the wide temporary spirals. The number of rays is very large, and there is a wide clear space between the inner and outer spirals. In Argiope the inner spiral is very large and widens gradually until it almost touches the outer spiral. It has a closely woven mat in the center and two zigzag bands of white silk extending up and down. The webs of Tetragnatha, Meta, and Acrosoma have a hole in the middle, the irregular center being entirely removed. _Insularis_ and _trifolium_ live always in tent-shaped nests, with a thread, or several threads, leading to the center of the web. _Globosa_, _labyrinthea_, and Zilla have a similar thread from nest to web, and leave open a segment of the web through which it passes. [Illustration: FIG. 382. Epeira sclopetaria tearing down an old web and beginning a new one. Five new rays have been made and a quarter of the old web remains at the right.] Insects flying through the web strike the sticky threads and, trying to free themselves, fall against others. The spider at the center of the web feels the movements of the insect and goes toward it by the nearest ray and, drawing out silk from the spinnerets, throws it around the insect until it is tied fast. Adult male Epeiridæ are seldom seen in webs of their own, but some of them do occasionally make webs. The male _E. sclopetaria_, for instance, sometimes makes a web nearly as large as that of the female and stands in it waiting for insects to be caught. [Illustration: FIGS. 383, 384, 385.--383, Epeira sclopetaria. 384, Epeira patagiata. 385, Epeira strix.]