Hi All,

I was in Mums back garden this morning and there was the most amazing
feat of engineering on display in the form of a spiders web. ;-)

It had about a 1m horizontal span on the top guys and about .5m down
to a plant at the bottom. If you examined the anchor points closely
they were multiplied over maybe 2 or 3 points. The 'web' itself was
very concentric, about 30 cm diameter but the actual circles were no
more than 2mm apart (nothing was getting past this baby!).

The builder ( brown / white and about 1" long) was sat in the middle
waiting for his breakfast ;-)

It semms a shame that although very strong (in a materials sense) it
is very weak and be so easily wrecked by us just brushing past (all
that effort and no breakfast) ;-(

Is the spider the ultimate d-i-yer? (how many of us could build
something that large and that quickly without a crane!) ;-)

(waits for Mary with stories of Bees putting up her shed) ;-)

All the best ..

T i m

T i m wrote:

> Hi All,
> 
> I was in Mums back garden this morning and there was the most amazing
> feat of engineering on display in the form of a spiders web.
>  [snip]
> The builder ( brown / white and about 1" long) was sat in the middle
> waiting for his breakfast ;-)


Probably a female cross spider.



> It semms a shame that although very strong (in a materials sense) it
> is very weak and be so easily wrecked by us just brushing past (all
> that effort and no breakfast) ;-(
> 
> Is the spider the ultimate d-i-yer? (how many of us could build
> something that large and that quickly without a crane!) ;-)


It's how they get the thing started/anchored that amazes me.



> (waits for Mary with stories of Bees putting up her shed)


I flaming well hope not. There are many other more suitable
newsgroups. Why not bog off to those.

On Fri, 09 Sep 2005 14:23:52 +0100, T i m  wrote:


> It had about a 1m horizontal span on the top guys and about .5m down
> to a plant at the bottom. If you examined the anchor points closely
> they were multiplied over maybe 2 or 3 points. The 'web' itself was
> very concentric, about 30 cm diameter but the actual circles were no
> more than 2mm apart (nothing was getting past this baby!).

> The builder ( brown / white and about 1" long) was sat in the middle
> waiting for his breakfast ;-)


Almost certainly /Araneus diadematus/, the cross spider, so called because  
it has a cross shaped white marking on the back of its abdomen. Not at all  
rare in the UK. They can do webs of at least a metre, this depends on  
windage, it would appear, they sit on one vantage point and let the silk  
drift downwind to another. From there on in, it is relatively simple.  A  
bit of penduluming about and the radial fibres are in place. Then the orb  
is run, and the spider generally takes the optimal position to get to the  
prey, the centre. Typical behaviour is to eat the web in the evening and  
renew it the next day. I once, while waiting for my o-level (that dates  
me) results watched AD putting up a web. It didn't take more than an hour.  
As for the engineering fibroin is stronger than steel. The spiders use  
things called spinnerettes to produce their silk, and use it for various  
other purposes including wrapping their prey and encapsulating their eggs.


> It semms a shame that although very strong (in a materials sense) it
> is very weak and be so easily wrecked by us just brushing past (all
> that effort and no breakfast) ;-(


A dirty trick I played on a spider was to use a water spray on its web to  
photograph it. The water dried off quickly, though and it was having  
afternoon tea when I next passed the web.


> Is the spider the ultimate d-i-yer? (how many of us could build
> something that large and that quickly without a crane!) ;-)


There are three basic types of spider, orb-web as in AD, sheet-web as in  
Tegenaria atrica, the house-spider (The big hairy brown ones which dash  
across floors causing some women to freak, the poor thing is harmless) and  
the wolf spiders which hunt actively. For spiders their eyesight is  
exceptional and the edge up to their prey until they are in range and  
pounce. ISTR there is also a spider which fires silk ont its prey to  
immobilise it before it moves in for the kill. Certainly arachnids are  
survivors, but not all are as adept at web-making.

John Schmitt

-- 
Using Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/mail/

John Schmitt wrote:
<snip>

> There are three basic types of spider, orb-web as in AD, sheet-web as 
> in  Tegenaria atrica, the house-spider (The big hairy brown ones which 
> dash  across floors causing some women to freak, the poor thing is 
> harmless) and  the wolf spiders which hunt actively. For spiders their 
> eyesight is  exceptional and the edge up to their prey until they are in 
> range and  pounce. ISTR there is also a spider which fires silk ont its 
> prey to  immobilise it before it moves in for the kill. Certainly 
> arachnids are  survivors, but not all are as adept at web-making.
> 
> John Schmitt
> 


See also Bolas Spider as in
http://www.amonline.net.au/factsheets/bolas_spider.htm

Don't think you get any in the UK, but ISTR Durrell reporting them on 
Cyprus.

Andy

T i m wrote:


> I was in Mums back garden this morning and there was the most amazing
> feat of engineering on display in the form of a spiders web.


Horrible way they feed isn't it?

I just hate those butchers shop BBC Natural History programmes that
purport to be both educational and scientific. What they are really, is
quasi autonomous, religious broadcasts for viewers to be indoctrinated
into the belief of evolution.

"Each to his own gods" I suppose (if I may be forgiven for quoting a
little of the bible.)

What gets me with these marvels is the way they deal with stretching
and strain. There are nodes built into the strand that act like coil
springs. How did they accidentally mutate to invent that? All of them.

I should just love to hear that old fart Attenborough try to explain
it. Once again the devil is in the detail there too. As he merely
states facts; logic and reasoning are nothing to do with him (or the
BBC.)

One poster here asked about the spider that shoots its prey. It doesn't
squirt gossamer or whatever the proper name for it is called. That is
reserved for human mutants that get bitten by web spinning spiders.

(Don't ask.)

I believe the species you are referring to, fires hairs at its prey,
stunning it with utric acid, the same stuff as in nettles.

In message , T i m 
 writes

>Hi All,
>
>I was in Mums back garden this morning and there was the most amazing
>feat of engineering on display in the form of a spiders web. ;-)
>
>It had about a 1m horizontal span on the top guys and about .5m down
>to a plant at the bottom. If you examined the anchor points closely
>they were multiplied over maybe 2 or 3 points. The 'web' itself was
>very concentric, about 30 cm diameter but the actual circles were no
>more than 2mm apart (nothing was getting past this baby!).
>
>The builder ( brown / white and about 1" long) was sat in the middle
>waiting for his breakfast ;-)
>
>It semms a shame that although very strong (in a materials sense) it
>is very weak and be so easily wrecked by us just brushing past (all
>that effort and no breakfast) ;-(
>
>Is the spider the ultimate d-i-yer?


I'd more put them in the professional class, especially some of them 
I've seen in the far east.

I came across one which had a white cross superimposed on the net 
(guides the flies in ?)

They also have more patience than the average DIYer


>(how many of us could build
>something that large and that quickly without a crane!) ;-)
>


-- 
geoff

In message , John Schmitt 
 writes

>There are three basic types of spider, orb-web as in AD, sheet-web as 
>in  Tegenaria atrica, the house-spider (The big hairy brown ones which 
>dash  across floors causing some women to freak, the poor thing is 
>harmless) and  the wolf spiders which hunt actively. For spiders their 
>eyesight is  exceptional and the edge up to their prey until they are 
>in range and  pounce. ISTR there is also a spider which fires silk ont 
>its prey to  immobilise it before it moves in for the kill. Certainly 
>arachnids are  survivors, but not all are as adept at web-making.
>

Ah, an expert

I once had a bit of a fight with a spider in Indonesia (with a bit of 
banana leaf that is)

it's body was probably about the size of my thumb, leg span about 30 cm 
extended and it was black and yellow

It was very definitely a "don't mess with me" spider

Any idea what they're called ?

-- 
geoff

On Fri, 09 Sep 2005 15:29:55 +0100, Chris Bacon 
wrote:


>T i m wrote:



>
>> (waits for Mary with stories of Bees putting up her shed)
>
>I flaming well hope not. There are many other more suitable
>newsgroups. Why not bog off to those.



You could indeed.

A news group should be mainly on topic but does also attract a
community of contributors, whereby other topics are occasionally
discussed.

The whole thing becomes rather boring if it is just a simple Q&A list,
so having a broad range of contribution adds to the interest.

This one was marked as OT from the outset.

In comparison with some NGs which contain only spam and complete
nonsense, this one strikes a good balance between valuable content and
contribution from those with the experience of life.

In that sense, Mary has a lot to contribute.   Some of it may be
distinctly "alternative", but I think that that is to be applauded.
Nobody is asking you to agree.

You have the option not to read posts on a given thread or from a
given author but not to deny that to others.



-- 

..andy

To email, substitute .nospam with .gl

On Fri, 9 Sep 2005 20:10:58 UTC, "Weatherlawyer" 
 wrote:


> I just hate those butchers shop BBC Natural History programmes that
> purport to be both educational and scientific. What they are really, is
> quasi autonomous, religious broadcasts for viewers to be indoctrinated
> into the belief of evolution.

Oh dear.

> "Each to his own gods" I suppose (if I may be forgiven for quoting a
> little of the bible.)


Creationists usually do (quote the Bible).
-- 
The information contained in this post is copyright the
poster, and specifically may not be published in, or used by
   http://laminateflooring.oncloud8.com

"T i m"  wrote in message 
news:ih23i1123cldsnok3k0qv46mmdtttu63a8@4ax.com...

> Hi All,
>
> I was in Mums back garden this morning and there was the most amazing
> feat of engineering on display in the form of a spiders web. ;-)
>
> It had about a 1m horizontal span on the top guys and about .5m down
> to a plant at the bottom. If you examined the anchor points closely
> they were multiplied over maybe 2 or 3 points. The 'web' itself was
> very concentric, about 30 cm diameter but the actual circles were no
> more than 2mm apart (nothing was getting past this baby!).
>
> The builder ( brown / white and about 1" long) was sat in the middle
> waiting for his breakfast ;-)


More likely her :-)

>
> It semms a shame that although very strong (in a materials sense) it
> is very weak and be so easily wrecked by us just brushing past (all
> that effort and no breakfast) ;-(


Oh, it's no problem, she'll make another very quickly.

I was standing by an internal gate in our garden yesterday and felt 
something brushing my bare arm. I moved and looked round but I was nowhere 
near the gate frame so I moved back and felt it again. I reliased that it 
must have been a web and looked more closely, I was right. They really are 
VERY strong. This web was undamaaged by my brushing against it.

It must have just been brushing against the hairs on my arm. Which brings me 
to another Interesting Fact. An Official one.

The lightest touch which can be felt by a human is a bee's wing falling onto 
the cheek from a distance of 3cm.


>
> Is the spider the ultimate d-i-yer? (how many of us could build
> something that large and that quickly without a crane!) ;-)

None of us.
>
> (waits for Mary with stories of Bees putting up her shed) ;-)


Sorry to disappoint you, I typed the above before getting as far as this :-)

Honeybee comb is very strong in terms of containing large weights of honey 
and brood but in mechanical terms wasp comb (the inside of a wasp nest) is 
much stronger.

Mary

John Schmitt wrote:



> There are three basic types of spider, orb-web as in AD, sheet-web as 
> in  Tegenaria atrica, the house-spider (The big hairy brown ones which 
> dash  across floors causing some women to freak, the poor thing is 
> harmless) and  the wolf spiders which hunt actively. For spiders their 
> eyesight is  exceptional and the edge up to their prey until they are in 
> range and  pounce. ISTR there is also a spider which fires silk ont its 
> prey to  immobilise it before it moves in for the kill. Certainly 
> arachnids are  survivors, but not all are as adept at web-making.


Any one of them is welcome in my house. I hate flies.

Dave

On Fri, 09 Sep 2005 20:30:10 GMT, raden  wrote:



>I came across one which had a white cross superimposed on the net 
>(guides the flies in ?)
>

Might be ;-)


>They also have more patience than the average DIYer#


Well this one would have to have .. when I popped back to Mums with
the new gutter and water butt fittings (straight after the storm) all
his good engineering had been washed away .. ;-(

All the best ..

T i m

In article , Bob Eager
<URL:mailto:rde42@spamcop.net> wrote:


> 
> > "Each to his own gods" I suppose (if I may be forgiven for quoting a
> > little of the bible.)
> 
> Creationists usually do (quote the Bible).


A recent tabloid reports that 50% of Americans are convinced that the world
suddenly came into being 10,000 years ago. Show them a fossil or two and
they go all quiet. :-)

-- 
AJL

On Sat, 10 Sep 2005 07:50:49 UTC, "Andy Luckman (AJL Electronics)" 
 wrote:


> In article , Bob Eager
> <URL:mailto:rde42@spamcop.net> wrote:
> 
> > 
> > > "Each to his own gods" I suppose (if I may be forgiven for quoting a
> > > little of the bible.)
> > 
> > Creationists usually do (quote the Bible).
> 
> A recent tabloid reports that 50% of Americans are convinced that the world
> suddenly came into being 10,000 years ago. Show them a fossil or two and
> they go all quiet. :-)


In my experience (and I've met a fairly major exponent of creationism) 
they just says that the fossils are fakes, manufactured to support the 
evolutionists' claim!

I did once go to a lecture by him (I actually organised it, but *that's*
another story). very high-tech, slick and convincing - except to the 
group of academics in the audience...

-- 
The information contained in this post is copyright the
poster, and specifically may not be published in, or used by
   http://laminateflooring.oncloud8.com

Andy Luckman (AJL Electronics) wrote:

> A recent tabloid reports that 50% of Americans are convinced that the world
> suddenly came into being 10,000 years ago. Show them a fossil or two and
> they go all quiet. :-)


The big fault with the creationist argument is that it answers nothing; 
who made the creator, or the maker's maker? Thus it can only appeal to 
the sort of person who when as a child asked 'why?' was content to be 
answered with 'because I said so'. Not something of appeal to the 
curious or the DIYer.


-- 
David Clark

$message_body_include ="PLES RING IF AN RNSR IS REQIRD"

Andy Luckman (AJL Electronics) wrote:


> A recent tabloid reports that 50% of Americans are convinced that
> the world suddenly came into being 10,000 years ago.


Scary - they're gradually receding back to the 18th Century....

On 9 Sep 2005 13:10:58 -0700, "Weatherlawyer"
 wrote:


>> I was in Mums back garden this morning and there was the most amazing
>> feat of engineering on display in the form of a spiders web.

 wrote:

>Horrible way they feed isn't it?


This is from someone posting as "*lawyer" ?

On Sat, 10 Sep 2005 23:03:38 +0100, "Steve Walker"
 wrote:


>Andy Luckman (AJL Electronics) wrote:
>
>> A recent tabloid reports that 50% of Americans are convinced that
>> the world suddenly came into being 10,000 years ago.
>
>Scary - they're gradually receding back to the 18th Century.... 
>

Even more so if they decide they want to rejoin the Empire.


-- 

..andy

To email, substitute .nospam with .gl

On Sun, 11 Sep 2005 00:19:06 +0100, Andy Dingley
 wrote:


>On 9 Sep 2005 13:10:58 -0700, "Weatherlawyer"
> wrote:
>
>>> I was in Mums back garden this morning and there was the most amazing
>>> feat of engineering on display in the form of a spiders web.
>
> wrote:
>
>>Horrible way they feed isn't it?
>
>This is from someone posting as "*lawyer" ?


And maybe spiders build their own houses to keep away from  estate
agents! ;-)

T i m ;-)

"Steve Walker"  wrote in message 
news:3oh3hbF5sn8jU1@individual.net...

> Andy Luckman (AJL Electronics) wrote:
>
>> A recent tabloid reports that 50% of Americans are convinced that
>> the world suddenly came into being 10,000 years ago.
>
> Scary - they're gradually receding back to the 18th Century....


Why is it scary? They're not threatening you.

Mary

>
> 

On Sun, 11 Sep 2005 12:50:14 +0100, "Mary Fisher"
 wrote:


>
>"Steve Walker"  wrote in message 
>news:3oh3hbF5sn8jU1@individual.net...
>> Andy Luckman (AJL Electronics) wrote:
>>
>>> A recent tabloid reports that 50% of Americans are convinced that
>>> the world suddenly came into being 10,000 years ago.
>>
>> Scary - they're gradually receding back to the 18th Century....
>
>Why is it scary? They're not threatening you.


The Americans are threatening the whole world - including me and you
and the OP.

-- 
Warning: Do not look directly into laser with remaining eye.

"Geoffrey"  wrote in message 
news:p788i194348isfq896fbled1pibioduukc@4ax.com...

> On Sun, 11 Sep 2005 12:50:14 +0100, "Mary Fisher"
>  wrote:
>
>>
>>"Steve Walker"  wrote in message
>>news:3oh3hbF5sn8jU1@individual.net...
>>> Andy Luckman (AJL Electronics) wrote:
>>>
>>>> A recent tabloid reports that 50% of Americans are convinced that
>>>> the world suddenly came into being 10,000 years ago.
>>>
>>> Scary - they're gradually receding back to the 18th Century....
>>
>>Why is it scary? They're not threatening you.
>
> The Americans are threatening the whole world - including me and you
> and the OP.


Not because of creationist beliefs.

>
> -- 
> Warning: Do not look directly into laser with remaining eye. 

Mary Fisher  wrote:

> 
> "Geoffrey"  wrote in message 
> news:p788i194348isfq896fbled1pibioduukc@4ax.com...
>> On Sun, 11 Sep 2005 12:50:14 +0100, "Mary Fisher"
>>  wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>"Steve Walker"  wrote in message
>>>news:3oh3hbF5sn8jU1@individual.net...
>>>> Andy Luckman (AJL Electronics) wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> A recent tabloid reports that 50% of Americans are convinced that
>>>>> the world suddenly came into being 10,000 years ago.
>>>>
>>>> Scary - they're gradually receding back to the 18th Century....
>>>
>>>Why is it scary? They're not threatening you.
>>
>> The Americans are threatening the whole world - including me and you
>> and the OP.
> 
> Not because of creationist beliefs.


It's a smallish step from "My God created the universe", to "My God created
the universe for his believers".

"Ian Stirling"  wrote in message 
news:43242b7c$0$22918$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader01.plus.net...

> Mary Fisher  wrote:
>>
>> "Geoffrey"  wrote in message
>> news:p788i194348isfq896fbled1pibioduukc@4ax.com...
>>> On Sun, 11 Sep 2005 12:50:14 +0100, "Mary Fisher"
>>>  wrote:
>>>
>>>>
>>>>"Steve Walker"  wrote in message
>>>>news:3oh3hbF5sn8jU1@individual.net...
>>>>> Andy Luckman (AJL Electronics) wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> A recent tabloid reports that 50% of Americans are convinced that
>>>>>> the world suddenly came into being 10,000 years ago.
>>>>>
>>>>> Scary - they're gradually receding back to the 18th Century....
>>>>
>>>>Why is it scary? They're not threatening you.
>>>
>>> The Americans are threatening the whole world - including me and you
>>> and the OP.
>>
>> Not because of creationist beliefs.
>
> It's a smallish step from "My God created the universe", to "My God 
> created
> the universe for his believers".


Is that what you believe ? :-)

Mary

"Mary Fisher"  wrote in message
news:43243ef5$0$31495$4c56ba96@master.news.zetnet.net


> > It's a smallish step from "My God created the universe", to "My God 
> > created the universe for his believers".

> Is that what you believe ? :-)


You are wasting your time Mary my dear. Evolutionists believe in the
theory of survival of the fittest. Despite the fact most of them would
be in gaol for putting into practice their beliefs, it doesn't stop them
from taking some pleasure in the hunt.

All you are doing is fuelling their passion. Poor things.




-- 
Posted via Mailgate.ORG Server - http://www.Mailgate.ORG

On Sun, 11 Sep 2005 19:15:27 +0000 (UTC), "Michael Mcneil"
 wrote:


>"Mary Fisher"  wrote in message
>news:43243ef5$0$31495$4c56ba96@master.news.zetnet.net
>
>> > It's a smallish step from "My God created the universe", to "My God 
>> > created the universe for his believers".
>
>> Is that what you believe ? :-)
>
>You are wasting your time Mary my dear. Evolutionists believe in the
>theory of survival of the fittest. Despite the fact most of them would
>be in gaol for putting into practice their beliefs, it doesn't stop them
>from taking some pleasure in the hunt.
>
>All you are doing is fuelling their passion. Poor things.


Ah, a troll.

Working on the theory that no-one could be so stupid as to believe that
because people think that the world has got the way it is, the way it
has; they all also think that this is "nice" or something to glorify. 
-- 
On-line canal route planner: http://www.canalplan.org.uk

(Waterways World site of the month, April 2001)

>
>> > It's a smallish step from "My God created the universe", to "My God
>> > created the universe for his believers".
>
>> Is that what you believe ? :-)
>
> You are wasting your time Mary my dear. Evolutionists believe in the
> theory of survival of the fittest. Despite the fact most of them would
> be in gaol for putting into practice their beliefs, it doesn't stop them
> from taking some pleasure in the hunt.
>
> All you are doing is fuelling their passion. Poor things.


That's only your interpretation, dear boy.

"Nick Atty"  wrote in message 
news:hd19i11c62ji1jg689a3bg2lt1otekth20@4ax.com...

>
> Ah, a troll.


Yes, I realised when I hit 'send' - I apologise to everyone.

>

Mary

In article <LLIZ+PZaAfIDFwHy@ntlworld.com>,
   raden  wrote:


> I came across one which had a white cross superimposed on the
> net (guides the flies in ?)


More likely it was a visual warning to birds not to fly through
the spider's work. After all there's a lot of protein used in
making those webs, and the last thing a spider wants is to see
it wasted as it flies away draped over some large feathered
creature.

Laurence.

-- 
.... The computer does not create anything.It's all in the hands of the artist.

 __  __  __      __      __
/  \|__)|__)|__||__ |  ||__  And isn't your life extremely flat 
\__/|  \|   |  ||__ |__| __| with nothing whatever to grumble at.

....Life's a RISC...   lbATorpheusmailDOTcoDOTuk

In message <43248a79$0$31495$4c56ba96@master.news.zetnet.net>, Mary 
Fisher  writes

>
>>
>>> > It's a smallish step from "My God created the universe", to "My God
>>> > created the universe for his believers".
>>
>>> Is that what you believe ? :-)
>>
>> You are wasting your time Mary my dear. Evolutionists believe in the
>> theory of survival of the fittest. Despite the fact most of them would
>> be in gaol for putting into practice their beliefs, it doesn't stop them
>> from taking some pleasure in the hunt.
>>
>> All you are doing is fuelling their passion. Poor things.
>
>That's only your interpretation, dear boy.
>


Creationism must be right

.... otherwise I wouldn't be perfect

(how do you do those smiley things ?:-))
-- 
geoff

In message , T i m 
 writes

>On Sun, 11 Sep 2005 00:19:06 +0100, Andy Dingley
> wrote:
>
>>On 9 Sep 2005 13:10:58 -0700, "Weatherlawyer"
>> wrote:
>>
>>>> I was in Mums back garden this morning and there was the most amazing
>>>> feat of engineering on display in the form of a spiders web.
>>
>> wrote:
>>
>>>Horrible way they feed isn't it?
>>
>>This is from someone posting as "*lawyer" ?
>
>And maybe spiders build their own houses to keep away from  estate
>agents! ;-)
>

Without planning permission from the great planning ossifer in the sky


-- 
geoff

In message , Laurence 
 writes

>In article <LLIZ+PZaAfIDFwHy@ntlworld.com>,
>   raden  wrote:
>
>> I came across one which had a white cross superimposed on the
>> net (guides the flies in ?)
>
>More likely it was a visual warning to birds not to fly through
>the spider's work. After all there's a lot of protein used in
>making those webs, and the last thing a spider wants is to see
>it wasted as it flies away draped over some large feathered
>creature.
>

So does nobody know what my big yellow and black spider is called then

(it didn't respond to any of the names I called it)

-- 
geoff

"raden"  wrote in message 
news:+bXUK8AipJJDFwI1@ntlworld.com...

>>
>
> Creationism must be right
>
> ... otherwise I wouldn't be perfect
>
> (how do you do those smiley things ?:-))


Put an index finger in each corner of your mouth and pull.

Mary


> -- 
> geoff 

"raden"  wrote in message 
news:pbvRK2BCsJJDFwrt@ntlworld.com...

> In message , Laurence 
>  writes
>>In article <LLIZ+PZaAfIDFwHy@ntlworld.com>,
>>   raden  wrote:
>>
>>> I came across one which had a white cross superimposed on the
>>> net (guides the flies in ?)
>>
>>More likely it was a visual warning to birds not to fly through
>>the spider's work. After all there's a lot of protein used in
>>making those webs, and the last thing a spider wants is to see
>>it wasted as it flies away draped over some large feathered
>>creature.
>>
> So does nobody know what my big yellow and black spider is called then
>
> (it didn't respond to any of the names I called it)


Did you try Edna?

Mary

>
> -- 
> geoff 

On Sun, 11 Sep 2005 21:04:34 GMT, raden  wrote:



>
>Creationism must be right
>
>... otherwise I wouldn't be perfect
>


There's one small problem with being perfect, however.

That is that you can only get worse.........



-- 

..andy

To email, substitute .nospam with .gl

On Sun, 11 Sep 2005 22:10:04 +0100, "Mary Fisher"
 wrote:


>
>"raden"  wrote in message 
>news:+bXUK8AipJJDFwI1@ntlworld.com...
>>>
>>
>> Creationism must be right
>>
>> ... otherwise I wouldn't be perfect
>>
>> (how do you do those smiley things ?:-))
>
>Put an index finger in each corner of your mouth and pull.
>


The PM's wife manages to achieve that look without using fingers. 


-- 

..andy

To email, substitute .nospam with .gl

On Sun, 11 Sep 2005 22:10:38 +0100, "Mary Fisher"
 wrote:


>
>"raden"  wrote in message 
>news:pbvRK2BCsJJDFwrt@ntlworld.com...
>> In message , Laurence 
>>  writes
>>>In article <LLIZ+PZaAfIDFwHy@ntlworld.com>,
>>>   raden  wrote:
>>>
>>>> I came across one which had a white cross superimposed on the
>>>> net (guides the flies in ?)
>>>
>>>More likely it was a visual warning to birds not to fly through
>>>the spider's work. After all there's a lot of protein used in
>>>making those webs, and the last thing a spider wants is to see
>>>it wasted as it flies away draped over some large feathered
>>>creature.
>>>
>> So does nobody know what my big yellow and black spider is called then
>>
>> (it didn't respond to any of the names I called it)
>
>Did you try Edna?
>

No point.  Everybody knows he's called Boris.


-- 

..andy

To email, substitute .nospam with .gl

On Sun, 11 Sep 2005 21:10:20 UTC, Andy Hall <andyh@hall.nospam> wrote:


> On Sun, 11 Sep 2005 21:04:34 GMT, raden  wrote:
> 
> 
> >
> >Creationism must be right
> >
> >... otherwise I wouldn't be perfect
> >
> 
> There's one small problem with being perfect, however.
> 
> That is that you can only get worse.........


No, he just thinks he's perfect...in fact, he's still evolving!

-- 
The information contained in this post is copyright the
poster, and specifically may not be published in, or used by
   http://laminateflooring.oncloud8.com

In message , Bob Eager 
 writes

>On Sun, 11 Sep 2005 21:10:20 UTC, Andy Hall <andyh@hall.nospam> wrote:
>
>> On Sun, 11 Sep 2005 21:04:34 GMT, raden  wrote:
>>
>>
>> >
>> >Creationism must be right
>> >
>> >... otherwise I wouldn't be perfect
>> >
>>
>> There's one small problem with being perfect, however.
>>
>> That is that you can only get worse.........
>
>No, he just thinks he's perfect...in fact, he's still evolving!
>

Are you maligning my knuckles ?

-- 
geoff

In message <43249d19$0$5854$4c56ba96@master.news.zetnet.net>, Mary 
Fisher  writes

>
>"raden"  wrote in message
>news:pbvRK2BCsJJDFwrt@ntlworld.com...
>> In message , Laurence
>>  writes
>>>In article <LLIZ+PZaAfIDFwHy@ntlworld.com>,
>>>   raden  wrote:
>>>
>>>> I came across one which had a white cross superimposed on the
>>>> net (guides the flies in ?)
>>>
>>>More likely it was a visual warning to birds not to fly through
>>>the spider's work. After all there's a lot of protein used in
>>>making those webs, and the last thing a spider wants is to see
>>>it wasted as it flies away draped over some large feathered
>>>creature.
>>>
>> So does nobody know what my big yellow and black spider is called then
>>
>> (it didn't respond to any of the names I called it)
>
>Did you try Edna?
>

It was a bit more Conan than Edna

-- 
geoff

"raden"  wrote in message 
news:Ya1NqIJqSKJDFwdy@ntlworld.com...

> In message , Bob Eager 
>  writes
>>On Sun, 11 Sep 2005 21:10:20 UTC, Andy Hall <andyh@hall.nospam> wrote:
>>
>>> On Sun, 11 Sep 2005 21:04:34 GMT, raden  wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> >
>>> >Creationism must be right
>>> >
>>> >... otherwise I wouldn't be perfect
>>> >
>>>
>>> There's one small problem with being perfect, however.
>>>
>>> That is that you can only get worse.........
>>
>>No, he just thinks he's perfect...in fact, he's still evolving!
>>
> Are you maligning my knuckles ?


You do that very well for yourself, dragging them along like that:-)

Mary

>
> -- 
> geoff 

"Andy Hall" <andyh@hall.nospam> wrote in message 
news:uj79i1dhrqun05t1co0hht4bpjs24kd3c4@4ax.com...

> On Sun, 11 Sep 2005 22:10:38 +0100, "Mary Fisher"
>  wrote:
>
>>
>>"raden"  wrote in message
>>news:pbvRK2BCsJJDFwrt@ntlworld.com...
>>> In message , Laurence
>>>  writes
>>>>In article <LLIZ+PZaAfIDFwHy@ntlworld.com>,
>>>>   raden  wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I came across one which had a white cross superimposed on the
>>>>> net (guides the flies in ?)
>>>>
>>>>More likely it was a visual warning to birds not to fly through
>>>>the spider's work. After all there's a lot of protein used in
>>>>making those webs, and the last thing a spider wants is to see
>>>>it wasted as it flies away draped over some large feathered
>>>>creature.
>>>>
>>> So does nobody know what my big yellow and black spider is called then
>>>
>>> (it didn't respond to any of the names I called it)
>>
>>Did you try Edna?
>>
> No point.  Everybody knows he's called Boris.


I said ages ago that it was a female.

Mary

>
>
> -- 
>
> .andy
>
> To email, substitute .nospam with .gl 

Mary Fisher  wrote:

> 
> "Ian Stirling"  wrote in message 
> news:43242b7c$0$22918$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader01.plus.net...
>> Mary Fisher  wrote:
>>>
>>> "Geoffrey"  wrote in message
>>> news:p788i194348isfq896fbled1pibioduukc@4ax.com...
>>>> On Sun, 11 Sep 2005 12:50:14 +0100, "Mary Fisher"
>>>>  wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>"Steve Walker"  wrote in message
>>>>>news:3oh3hbF5sn8jU1@individual.net...
>>>>>> Andy Luckman (AJL Electronics) wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> A recent tabloid reports that 50% of Americans are convinced that
>>>>>>> the world suddenly came into being 10,000 years ago.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Scary - they're gradually receding back to the 18th Century....
>>>>>
>>>>>Why is it scary? They're not threatening you.
>>>>
>>>> The Americans are threatening the whole world - including me and you
>>>> and the OP.
>>>
>>> Not because of creationist beliefs.
>>
>> It's a smallish step from "My God created the universe", to "My God 
>> created
>> the universe for his believers".
> 
> Is that what you believe ? :-)


Naah.
I'm planning on running for deification soon, none of the current crop
seem up to much.

I've already got omnivourous down, I'm just working on omnipresent and
omnipotent.

In message <4324a71c$0$28628$4c56ba96@master.news.zetnet.net>, Mary 
Fisher  writes

>
>>>>>
>>>>>> I came across one which had a white cross superimposed on the
>>>>>> net (guides the flies in ?)
>>>>>
>>>>>More likely it was a visual warning to birds not to fly through
>>>>>the spider's work. After all there's a lot of protein used in
>>>>>making those webs, and the last thing a spider wants is to see
>>>>>it wasted as it flies away draped over some large feathered
>>>>>creature.
>>>>>
>>>> So does nobody know what my big yellow and black spider is called then
>>>>
>>>> (it didn't respond to any of the names I called it)
>>>
>>>Did you try Edna?
>>>
>> No point.  Everybody knows he's called Boris.
>
>I said ages ago that it was a female.
>

I so don't think so

It didn't have a pinny on

-- 
geoff

On 11 Sep 2005 21:57:40 GMT, Ian Stirling 
wrote:



>
>I've already got omnivourous down, I'm just working on omnipresent and
>omnipotent.


You can get blue tablets for that :-)


-- 

..andy

To email, substitute .nospam with .gl

"raden"  wrote in message 
news:Mg$oEOmB3LJDFwst@ntlworld.com...


>>>>>>
>>>>> So does nobody know what my big yellow and black spider is called then
>>>>>
>>>>> (it didn't respond to any of the names I called it)
>>>>
>>>>Did you try Edna?
>>>>
>>> No point.  Everybody knows he's called Boris.
>>
>>I said ages ago that it was a female.
>>
> I so don't think so
>
> It didn't have a pinny on


But it was doing the work.

And was big.

Mary

>
> -- 
> geoff 

In message <4325484c$0$28628$4c56ba96@master.news.zetnet.net>, Mary 
Fisher  writes

>>>>>>>
>>>>>> So does nobody know what my big yellow and black spider is called then
>>>>>>
>>>>>> (it didn't respond to any of the names I called it)
>>>>>
>>>>>Did you try Edna?
>>>>>
>>>> No point.  Everybody knows he's called Boris.
>>>
>>>I said ages ago that it was a female.
>>>
>> I so don't think so
>>
>> It didn't have a pinny on
>
>But it was doing the work.


No, it was doing the biz ...


>
>And was big.


Err, yes

and black

and yellow


-- 
geoff

"raden"  wrote in message 
news:p5oxyPAdybJDFwJ$@ntlworld.com...

>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> So does nobody know what my big yellow and black spider is called 
>>>>>>> then
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> (it didn't respond to any of the names I called it)
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Did you try Edna?
>>>>>>
>>>>> No point.  Everybody knows he's called Boris.
>>>>
>>>>I said ages ago that it was a female.
>>>>
>>> I so don't think so
>>>
>>> It didn't have a pinny on
>>
>>But it was doing the work.
>
> No, it was doing the biz ...


Quite. You said she was spinning a web. Or sitting in it at least. She will 
have spun it.

Spiders are far more advanced than humans, the females rule and are the 
engineers. The males have only one function. It's like that with a lot of 
insects too.

>
>>
>>And was big.
>
> Err, yes
>
> and black
>
> and yellow


Colour is irrelevant. Size, in arachnids, is.

Mary

>
>
> -- 
> geoff 

In message , raden  
writes

>In message , Laurence 
> writes
>>In article <LLIZ+PZaAfIDFwHy@ntlworld.com>,
>>   raden  wrote:
>>
>>> I came across one which had a white cross superimposed on the
>>> net (guides the flies in ?)
>>
>>More likely it was a visual warning to birds not to fly through
>>the spider's work. After all there's a lot of protein used in
>>making those webs, and the last thing a spider wants is to see
>>it wasted as it flies away draped over some large feathered
>>creature.
>>
>So does nobody know what my big yellow and black spider is called then
>
>(it didn't respond to any of the names I called it)
>

And this is what it looks like

http://www.flickr.com/photos/raden/42773839/

-- 
geoff

"raden"  wrote in message 
news:hOuDfGKGYeJDFwbI@ntlworld.com...

>>>
>>So does nobody know what my big yellow and black spider is called then
>>
>>(it didn't respond to any of the names I called it)
>>
> And this is what it looks like
>
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/raden/42773839/


Was that really it? Very nice picture!

I'm not arachnid identification specialist so I've no idea what it is.But 
she looks very female to me:-)

Mary

>
> -- 
> geoff 

In message <4325cc14$0$12562$4c56ba96@master.news.zetnet.net>, Mary 
Fisher  writes

>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> So does nobody know what my big yellow and black spider is called
>>>>>>>> then
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> (it didn't respond to any of the names I called it)
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Did you try Edna?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> No point.  Everybody knows he's called Boris.
>>>>>
>>>>>I said ages ago that it was a female.
>>>>>
>>>> I so don't think so
>>>>
>>>> It didn't have a pinny on
>>>
>>>But it was doing the work.
>>
>> No, it was doing the biz ...
>
>Quite. You said she was spinning a web.


Not the one I had a fight with - it was just up for a bit of aggro 
(well, after I poked it with a banana frond, anyway)


>Or sitting in it at least. She will
>have spun it.
>
>Spiders are far more advanced than humans, the females rule and are the
>engineers.


What, they send probes to the moon and investigate smokies on the 
Pacific floor ?



>The males have only one function. It's like that with a lot of
>insects too.


They know that fems are easily pleased


>>
>>>
>>>And was big.
>>
>> Err, yes
>>
>> and black
>>
>> and yellow
>
>Colour is irrelevant. Size, in arachnids, is.


Isn't it always (well, according to some of the spam I get)?

Actually every one of this species I've come across has the same 
markings and the same coloration


-- 
geoff

In message <4325e7cf$0$23043$4c56ba96@master.news.zetnet.net>, Mary 
Fisher  writes

>
>"raden"  wrote in message
>news:hOuDfGKGYeJDFwbI@ntlworld.com...
>>>>
>>>So does nobody know what my big yellow and black spider is called then
>>>
>>>(it didn't respond to any of the names I called it)
>>>
>> And this is what it looks like
>>
>> http://www.flickr.com/photos/raden/42773839/
>
>Was that really it? Very nice picture!


That's a smaller one


>
>I'm not arachnid identification specialist so I've no idea what it is.But
>she looks very female to me:-)


Yeah - sitting around waiting for Eastenders to start on the telly


-- 
geoff

On Mon, 12 Sep 2005 19:43:23 +0100, "Mary Fisher"
 wrote:



>
>Spiders are far more advanced than humans, the females rule and are the 
>engineers. The males have only one function. It's like that with a lot of 
>insects too.


And some couples? <silly happy grin> 

All the best ..

T i m

In message , raden  
wrote



>And this is what it looks like
>
>http://www.flickr.com/photos/raden/42773839/
>


The anti-venom doesn't have too many lasting side effects if injected 
within 10 minutes of the bite.

-- 
Alan
mailto:news2me_a_2003@amacleod.clara.co.uk

On Mon, 12 Sep 2005 21:16:47 GMT, raden  wrote:



>Actually every one of this species I've come across has the same 
>markings and the same coloration


Same here ..

Yesterday a batch of them had made their webs from the washing line
across to my beans!

The span was about 2m and they were about 2m off the ground.

It was funny to see 4 of them in a row just a couple of feet apart ..
I bet the ones in the middle are peeved watching the outside ones eat
their meals .. ;-(

All the best ..

T i m

"raden"  wrote in message 
news:zYKnaHRX6eJDFwZS@ntlworld.com...

> In message <4325cc14$0$12562$4c56ba96@master.news.zetnet.net>, Mary Fisher 
>  writes
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> So does nobody know what my big yellow and black spider is called
>>>>>>>>> then
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> (it didn't respond to any of the names I called it)
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Did you try Edna?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> No point.  Everybody knows he's called Boris.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I said ages ago that it was a female.
>>>>>>
>>>>> I so don't think so
>>>>>
>>>>> It didn't have a pinny on
>>>>
>>>>But it was doing the work.
>>>
>>> No, it was doing the biz ...
>>
>>Quite. You said she was spinning a web.
>
> Not the one I had a fight with - it was just up for a bit of aggro (well, 
> after I poked it with a banana frond, anyway)

Who won?
>
>>Or sitting in it at least. She will
>>have spun it.
>>
>>Spiders are far more advanced than humans, the females rule and are the
>>engineers.
>
> What, they send probes to the moon and investigate smokies on the Pacific 
> floor ?


You think those things are a sign of intelligence?

Well, perhaps. There are women at Houston you know.

>
>
>>The males have only one function. It's like that with a lot of
>>insects too.
>
> They know that fems are easily pleased


Some spiders are so pleased that they eat their suitor, bit by bit, leaving 
the best till last ...

>
>>>
>>>>
>>>>And was big.
>>>
>>> Err, yes
>>>
>>> and black
>>>
>>> and yellow
>>
>>Colour is irrelevant. Size, in arachnids, is.
>
> Isn't it always (well, according to some of the spam I get)?


Ah -I'm glad it's getting through.You've only replied a coupleof times soI 
was worried...

>
> Actually every one of this species I've come across has the same markings 
> and the same coloration


Hmm. Not all that observant then.

Perhaps you think that all Chinese people look alike too ... :-)

Mary

>
>
> -- 
> geoff 

"T i m"  wrote in message 
news:03tci1h2e0cp339ba59mtsn730btegdmee@4ax.com...

> On Mon, 12 Sep 2005 21:16:47 GMT, raden  wrote:
>
>
>>Actually every one of this species I've come across has the same
>>markings and the same coloration
>
> Same here ..


Ah, at this time of year that's likely.

>
> Yesterday a batch of them had made their webs from the washing line
> across to my beans!
>
> The span was about 2m and they were about 2m off the ground.
>
> It was funny to see 4 of them in a row just a couple of feet apart ..
> I bet the ones in the middle are peeved watching the outside ones eat
> their meals .. ;-(


No, flies are everywhere.

I noticed in our porch yesterday that there are two corners full of gutted 
insects, caught in webs. The spiders know the best place for placing their 
traps.

Mary

>
> All the best ..
>
> T i m
> 

"T i m"  wrote in message 
news:lvsci1lp8rt3hl126k92f0nfv880bqafkf@4ax.com...

> On Mon, 12 Sep 2005 19:43:23 +0100, "Mary Fisher"
>  wrote:
>
>
>>
>>Spiders are far more advanced than humans, the females rule and are the
>>engineers. The males have only one function. It's like that with a lot of
>>insects too.
>
> And some couples? <silly happy grin>


So I've heard.

I'm very happy for you :-)

Mary

In message , T i m 
 writes

>On Mon, 12 Sep 2005 21:16:47 GMT, raden  wrote:
>
>
>>Actually every one of this species I've come across has the same
>>markings and the same coloration
>
>Same here ..
>
>Yesterday a batch of them had made their webs from the washing line
>across to my beans!
>
>The span was about 2m and they were about 2m off the ground.
>
>It was funny to see 4 of them in a row just a couple of feet apart ..
>I bet the ones in the middle are peeved watching the outside ones eat
>their meals .. ;-(
>



Like this ?

http://www.mooseyscountrygarden.com/gardening-articles/dahlias-washing-li
ne.jpg

Oh look it's Mary



Or like this

http://www.coppelia.id.au/cool%20&%20funny%20pics/pups%20on%20washing%20l
ine.jpg


-- 
geoff

In message <8w9$wECDRnJDFwrH@amacleod.clara.co.uk>, Alan 
 writes

>In message , raden  
>wrote
>
>
>>And this is what it looks like
>>
>>http://www.flickr.com/photos/raden/42773839/
>>
>
>The anti-venom doesn't have too many lasting side effects if injected 
>within 10 minutes of the bite.
>


I really wasn't that hungry

-- 
geoff

In message <4326a1c5$0$28628$4c56ba96@master.news.zetnet.net>, Mary 
Fisher  writes

>
>"raden"  wrote in message
>news:zYKnaHRX6eJDFwZS@ntlworld.com...
>> In message <4325cc14$0$12562$4c56ba96@master.news.zetnet.net>, Mary Fisher
>>  writes
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> So does nobody know what my big yellow and black spider is called
>>>>>>>>>> then
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> (it didn't respond to any of the names I called it)
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>Did you try Edna?
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> No point.  Everybody knows he's called Boris.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>I said ages ago that it was a female.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> I so don't think so
>>>>>>
>>>>>> It didn't have a pinny on
>>>>>
>>>>>But it was doing the work.
>>>>
>>>> No, it was doing the biz ...
>>>
>>>Quite. You said she was spinning a web.
>>
>> Not the one I had a fight with - it was just up for a bit of aggro (well,
>> after I poked it with a banana frond, anyway)
>
>Who won?


Me of course using superior engineering knowledge

I flipped it into the empty swimming pool which it had failed to notice 
was behind it -  which cramped it's style a bit because it's legs 
weren't long enough to climb the ladder out  .......  ha ha

(I might add that I rescued it a bit later)


>>
>>>Or sitting in it at least. She will
>>>have spun it.
>>>
>>>Spiders are far more advanced than humans, the females rule and are the
>>>engineers.
>>
>> What, they send probes to the moon and investigate smokies on the Pacific
>> floor ?
>
>You think those things are a sign of intelligence?


Well, yes I do


>
>Well, perhaps. There are women at Houston you know.


Someone has to make the tea


>>
>>
>>>The males have only one function. It's like that with a lot of
>>>insects too.
>>
>> They know that fems are easily pleased
>
>Some spiders are so pleased that they eat their suitor, bit by bit, leaving
>the best till last ...


It's prolly that their mouths never stop moving and they just don't 
notice what they're doing

http://www.jakethackray.co.uk/content/view/82/26/


>>
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>And was big.
>>>>
>>>> Err, yes
>>>>
>>>> and black
>>>>
>>>> and yellow
>>>
>>>Colour is irrelevant. Size, in arachnids, is.
>>
>> Isn't it always (well, according to some of the spam I get)?
>
>Ah -I'm glad it's getting through.You've only replied a coupleof times soI
>was worried...


Too busy taking the tablets, dear


>>
>> Actually every one of this species I've come across has the same markings
>> and the same coloration
>
>Hmm. Not all that observant then.
>
>Perhaps you think that all Chinese people look alike too ... :-)


Don't they ?



-- 
geoff

"raden"  wrote in message 
news:zQEn4sGtAzJDFwJs@ntlworld.com...

> In message , T i m 
>  writes
>>On Mon, 12 Sep 2005 21:16:47 GMT, raden  wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Actually every one of this species I've come across has the same
>>>markings and the same coloration
>>
>>Same here ..
>>
>>Yesterday a batch of them had made their webs from the washing line
>>across to my beans!
>>
>>The span was about 2m and they were about 2m off the ground.
>>
>>It was funny to see 4 of them in a row just a couple of feet apart ..
>>I bet the ones in the middle are peeved watching the outside ones eat
>>their meals .. ;-(
>>
>
>
> Like this ?
>
> http://www.mooseyscountrygarden.com/gardening-articles/dahlias-washing-li
> ne.jpg
>
> Oh look it's Mary


Not too much unlike me but I wouldn't go near dahlias - or washing line like 
that - or a plastic washing basket - or a red cardi ...

>
>
>
> Or like this
>
> http://www.coppelia.id.au/cool%20&%20funny%20pics/pups%20on%20washing%20l
> ine.jpg


What an excellent use for a washing line!

Mary

>
>
> -- 
> geoff 

"raden"  wrote in message 
news:IjxZkVI6VzJDFwsp@ntlworld.com...

> In message <4326a1c5$0$28628$4c56ba96@master.news.zetnet.net>, Mary Fisher 
>  writes
>>
>>"raden"  wrote in message
>>news:zYKnaHRX6eJDFwZS@ntlworld.com...
>>> In message <4325cc14$0$12562$4c56ba96@master.news.zetnet.net>, Mary 
>>> Fisher
>>>  writes
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> So does nobody know what my big yellow and black spider is 
>>>>>>>>>>> called
>>>>>>>>>>> then
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> (it didn't respond to any of the names I called it)
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>Did you try Edna?
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> No point.  Everybody knows he's called Boris.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>I said ages ago that it was a female.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I so don't think so
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> It didn't have a pinny on
>>>>>>
>>>>>>But it was doing the work.
>>>>>
>>>>> No, it was doing the biz ...
>>>>
>>>>Quite. You said she was spinning a web.
>>>
>>> Not the one I had a fight with - it was just up for a bit of aggro 
>>> (well,
>>> after I poked it with a banana frond, anyway)
>>
>>Who won?
>
> Me of course using superior engineering knowledge


And a million times more mass.

>
> I flipped it into the empty swimming pool which it had failed to notice 
> was behind it -  which cramped it's style a bit because it's legs weren't 
> long enough to climb the ladder out  .......  ha ha
>
> (I might add that I rescued it a bit later)


You're a saint ...

>
>>>
>>>>Or sitting in it at least. She will
>>>>have spun it.
>>>>
>>>>Spiders are far more advanced than humans, the females rule and are the
>>>>engineers.
>>>
>>> What, they send probes to the moon and investigate smokies on the 
>>> Pacific
>>> floor ?
>>
>>You think those things are a sign of intelligence?
>
> Well, yes I do
>
>>
>>Well, perhaps. There are women at Houston you know.
>
> Someone has to make the tea


At Houston?

You're not showing intelligence there!

>
>>>
>>>
>>>>The males have only one function. It's like that with a lot of
>>>>insects too.
>>>
>>> They know that fems are easily pleased
>>
>>Some spiders are so pleased that they eat their suitor, bit by bit, 
>>leaving
>>the best till last ...
>
> It's prolly that their mouths never stop moving and they just don't notice 
> what they're doing


Oh yes we do!

>
> http://www.jakethackray.co.uk/content/view/82/26/


I didn't rate him first time round.

>
>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>And was big.
>>>>>
>>>>> Err, yes
>>>>>
>>>>> and black
>>>>>
>>>>> and yellow
>>>>
>>>>Colour is irrelevant. Size, in arachnids, is.
>>>
>>> Isn't it always (well, according to some of the spam I get)?
>>
>>Ah -I'm glad it's getting through.You've only replied a coupleof times soI
>>was worried...
>
> Too busy taking the tablets, dear


Keep taking them, I like the income.

>
>>>
>>> Actually every one of this species I've come across has the same 
>>> markings
>>> and the same coloration
>>
>>Hmm. Not all that observant then.
>>
>>Perhaps you think that all Chinese people look alike too ... :-)
>
> Don't they ?


SWIM?

Mary

>
>
>
> -- 
> geoff 

In message <43273a15$0$5853$4c56ba96@master.news.zetnet.net>, Mary 
Fisher  writes

>
>"raden"  wrote in message
>news:IjxZkVI6VzJDFwsp@ntlworld.com...
>> In message <4326a1c5$0$28628$4c56ba96@master.news.zetnet.net>, Mary Fisher
>>  writes
>>>
>>>"raden"  wrote in message
>>>news:zYKnaHRX6eJDFwZS@ntlworld.com...
>>>> In message <4325cc14$0$12562$4c56ba96@master.news.zetnet.net>, Mary
>>>> Fisher
>>>>  writes
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> So does nobody know what my big yellow and black spider is
>>>>>>>>>>>> called
>>>>>>>>>>>> then
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> (it didn't respond to any of the names I called it)
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>Did you try Edna?
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> No point.  Everybody knows he's called Boris.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>I said ages ago that it was a female.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I so don't think so
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> It didn't have a pinny on
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>But it was doing the work.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> No, it was doing the biz ...
>>>>>
>>>>>Quite. You said she was spinning a web.
>>>>
>>>> Not the one I had a fight with - it was just up for a bit of aggro
>>>> (well,
>>>> after I poked it with a banana frond, anyway)
>>>
>>>Who won?
>>
>> Me of course using superior engineering knowledge
>
>And a million times more mass.


And the rest !!!


>>
>> I flipped it into the empty swimming pool which it had failed to notice
>> was behind it -  which cramped it's style a bit because it's legs weren't
>> long enough to climb the ladder out  .......  ha ha
>>
>> (I might add that I rescued it a bit later)
>
>You're a saint ...


And you only just realised


>>
>>>>
>>>>>Or sitting in it at least. She will
>>>>>have spun it.
>>>>>
>>>>>Spiders are far more advanced than humans, the females rule and are the
>>>>>engineers.
>>>>
>>>> What, they send probes to the moon and investigate smokies on the
>>>> Pacific
>>>> floor ?
>>>
>>>You think those things are a sign of intelligence?
>>
>> Well, yes I do
>>
>>>
>>>Well, perhaps. There are women at Houston you know.
>>
>> Someone has to make the tea
>
>At Houston?
>
>You're not showing intelligence there!


That's because I'm HERE


>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>The males have only one function. It's like that with a lot of
>>>>>insects too.
>>>>
>>>> They know that fems are easily pleased
>>>
>>>Some spiders are so pleased that they eat their suitor, bit by bit,
>>>leaving
>>>the best till last ...
>>
>> It's prolly that their mouths never stop moving and they just don't notice
>> what they're doing
>
>Oh yes we do!
>>
>> http://www.jakethackray.co.uk/content/view/82/26/
>
>I didn't rate him first time round.


Yes, I know the truth can be painful at times


>>
>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>And was big.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Err, yes
>>>>>>
>>>>>> and black
>>>>>>
>>>>>> and yellow
>>>>>
>>>>>Colour is irrelevant. Size, in arachnids, is.
>>>>
>>>> Isn't it always (well, according to some of the spam I get)?
>>>
>>>Ah -I'm glad it's getting through.You've only replied a coupleof times soI
>>>was worried...
>>
>> Too busy taking the tablets, dear
>
>Keep taking them, I like the income.
>>
>>>>
>>>> Actually every one of this species I've come across has the same
>>>> markings
>>>> and the same coloration
>>>
>>>Hmm. Not all that observant then.
>>>
>>>Perhaps you think that all Chinese people look alike too ... :-)
>>
>> Don't they ?
>
>SWIM?
>

My wife is actually part Chinese Mary

-- 
geoff

On Sun, 11 Sep 2005 06:55:31 +0100, Andy Hall <andyh@hall.nospam> wrote:



>> Scary - they're gradually receding back to the 18th Century....

> Even more so if they decide they want to rejoin the Empire.


Nothing of the sort. However, have you noticed how the Dollar is  
relatively closely matched to the Euro? Hmmm.

John Schmitt

-- 
Using Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/mail/

On Mon, 12 Sep 2005 04:35:40 +0100, Andy Hall <andyh@hall.nospam> wrote:


>> I've already got omnivourous down, I'm just working on omnipresent and
>> omnipotent.

> You can get blue tablets for that :-)


I do not remember a single day for some time when I have not recieved a  
"helpful" email message informing me of that. Must sort out my filtering.

John Schmitt

-- 
Using Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/mail/

On Mon, 12 Sep 2005 19:43:23 +0100, Mary Fisher   
wrote:

[spider gender]


> Colour is irrelevant. Size, in arachnids, is.


The palps are a far more reliable indication of gender. As this is a  
family newsgroup, I will not describe the mating procedures of spiders.  
However, for any male spiders reading this NG, if, after mating, the  
female asks you to stay around for dinner, you should make your excuses  
and leave. Rapidly.

John Schmitt

-- 
Using Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/mail/

On Mon, 12 Sep 2005 21:41:42 +0100, Mary Fisher   
wrote:


>> http://www.flickr.com/photos/raden/42773839/

> Was that really it? Very nice picture!

> I'm not arachnid identification specialist so I've no idea what it is.But
> she looks very female to me:-)


The resolution is not quite good enough, but I think that the palps look  
male. As for the species, I cannot help, although I'll have a dig through  
my library.

John Schmitt

-- 
Using Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/mail/

On Fri, 09 Sep 2005 21:35:11 +0100, raden  wrote:

[spiders]


> Ah, an expert

> I once had a bit of a fight with a spider in Indonesia (with a bit of  
> banana leaf that is)

> it's body was probably about the size of my thumb, leg span about 30 cm  
> extended and it was black and yellow

> It was very definitely a "don't mess with me" spider

> Any idea what they're called ?


Abdomen, thorax or both in this size measure? Sounds like one of the  
bird-eating species. Every so often, it appears that one survives the trip  
 from abroad and brings a bit of excitement to someones shopping trip by  
popping out of a bunch of bananas. They can bite if provoked, but are only  
mildly venomous to humans. In fact, spider bites very rarely result in  
death to humans, even the allegedly deadly ones, the brown recluse, black  
widow, it's close relative the Australian redback and the funnelweb. Only  
the very young and the old are at particular risk. Sometimes the venoms  
trigger tissue necrosis, which is not a good thing, but normally  
treatable. For scary, try the box jellyfish. I met a blacksmith in  
Australia who had picked up a bar of steel just off glowing. Later he swam  
into a box jellyfish. By comparison the iron bar barely hurt at all.

John Schmitt

-- 
Using Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/mail/

"raden"  wrote in message 
news:xWmHZsOlC3JDFwI8@ntlworld.com...

>>
> My wife is actually part Chinese Mary


Someone has to say it.

Which part?

Mary

>
> -- 
> geoff 

In message , John Schmitt 
 writes

>On Fri, 09 Sep 2005 21:35:11 +0100, raden  wrote:
>
>[spiders]
>
>> Ah, an expert
>
>> I once had a bit of a fight with a spider in Indonesia (with a bit of 
>>banana leaf that is)
>
>> it's body was probably about the size of my thumb, leg span about 30 
>>cm   extended and it was black and yellow
>
>> It was very definitely a "don't mess with me" spider
>
>> Any idea what they're called ?
>
>Abdomen, thorax or both in this size measure?


Both - so about 3" long "body"


>Sounds like one of the  bird-eating species.


Fourth and 6th down on the RHS look to be closely related

http://66.102.9.104/search?q=cache:2xBaHsaPRfUJ:www.xs4all.nl/~ednieuw/au
stralian/nephila/Nephila.html+Nephila+pilipes&hl=en


>Every so often, it appears that one survives the trip  from abroad and 
>brings a bit of excitement to someones shopping trip by  popping out of 
>a bunch of bananas. They can bite if provoked, but are only mildly 
>venomous to humans. In fact, spider bites very rarely result in death 
>to humans, even the allegedly deadly ones, the brown recluse, black 
>widow, it's close relative the Australian redback and the funnelweb. 
>Only  the very young and the old are at particular risk. Sometimes the 
>venoms  trigger tissue necrosis, which is not a good thing, but 
>normally  treatable. For scary, try the box jellyfish. I met a 
>blacksmith in  Australia who had picked up a bar of steel just off 
>glowing. Later he swam  into a box jellyfish. By comparison the iron 
>bar barely hurt at all.
>


Yes, I remember a program on the telly about jellyfish last year

lighter note: Years ago I went to Portugal with my girlfriend, her 
sister and her boyfriend. He refused to go into the sea and no reasoned 
argument would convince him that the water wasn't full of Portugese Man 
of War jellyfish


-- 
geoff

In message , John Schmitt 
 writes

>On Mon, 12 Sep 2005 04:35:40 +0100, Andy Hall <andyh@hall.nospam> wrote:
>
>>> I've already got omnivourous down, I'm just working on omnipresent and
>>> omnipotent.
>
>> You can get blue tablets for that :-)
>
>I do not remember a single day for some time when I have not recieved a 
>"helpful" email message informing me of that. Must sort out my 
>filtering.
>

Only one ?

-- 
geoff

In message <432825b6$0$32462$4c56ba96@master.news.zetnet.net>, Mary 
Fisher  writes

>
>"raden"  wrote in message
>news:xWmHZsOlC3JDFwI8@ntlworld.com...
>>>
>> My wife is actually part Chinese Mary
>
>Someone has to say it.
>
>Which part?
>

Well ...

not the business acumen part


-- 
geoff

In message , John Schmitt 
 writes

>On Mon, 12 Sep 2005 19:43:23 +0100, Mary Fisher 
>  wrote:
>
>[spider gender]
>
>> Colour is irrelevant. Size, in arachnids, is.
>
>The palps are a far more reliable indication of gender. As this is a 
>family newsgroup, I will not describe the mating procedures of spiders. 
>However, for any male spiders reading this NG, if, after mating, the 
>female asks you to stay around for dinner, you should make your excuses 
>and leave. Rapidly.
>

No, I'm convinced that, being female, she just keeps talking and doesn't 
stop. When he goes for his post coital kiss, well ... her jaws are in 
overdrive and accidents happen
-- 
geoff

In message , John Schmitt 
 writes

>On Mon, 12 Sep 2005 21:41:42 +0100, Mary Fisher 
>  wrote:
>
>>> http://www.flickr.com/photos/raden/42773839/
>
>> Was that really it? Very nice picture!
>
>> I'm not arachnid identification specialist so I've no idea what it is.But
>> she looks very female to me:-)
>
>The resolution is not quite good enough,


It's a scan from a print and reduced


>but I think that the palps look  male. As for the species, I cannot 
>help, although I'll have a dig through  my library.
>

I have some more photos of other ones, but I can't find them ATM


-- 
geoff

On Wed, 14 Sep 2005 19:43:45 GMT, raden  wrote:


>"When he goes for his post coital kiss"


Ah, those were the days ... ;-)

I didn't realise what sleeping on my own was like till I got married
;-(

All the best ..

T i m

On Wed, 14 Sep 2005 20:39:31 +0100, raden  wrote:


>> Abdomen, thorax or both in this size measure?

> Both - so about 3" long "body"

>> Sounds like one of the  bird-eating species.

> Fourth and 6th down on the RHS look to be closely related

> http://66.102.9.104/search?q=cache:2xBaHsaPRfUJ:www.xs4all.nl/~ednieuw/au
> stralian/nephila/Nephila.html+Nephila+pilipes&hl=en


Cursory examination would suggest so. I don't know how there are certain  
very similar varieties over different continents. Perhaps carried by  
ships, but what about the minimum size of the gene pool? A single egg pod  
shouldn't be capable of achieving this, although I feel that I am skating  
on thin ice on the genetics of spiders.


> Yes, I remember a program on the telly about jellyfish last year

> lighter note: Years ago I went to Portugal with my girlfriend, her  
> sister and her boyfriend. He refused to go into the sea and no reasoned  
> argument would convince him that the water wasn't full of Portugese Man  
> of War jellyfish


Reminds me of the Sherlock Holmes tale "The lion's mane". I once  
encountered a Cyanea capillata while surf fishing. Bloody hurt, I can tell  
you. Being in my teens, the heart attack did not happen.

John Schmitt

-- 
Using Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/mail/

On Wed, 14 Sep 2005 20:39:31 +0100, raden  wrote:


>>> You can get blue tablets for that :-)

>> I do not remember a single day for some time when I have not recieved a  
>> "helpful" email message informing me of that. Must sort out my  
>> filtering.

> Only one ?


More like 30. :-(

John Schmitt

-- 
Using Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/mail/