Spider silk is made of a protein called fibroin and is secreted
from up to 7 glands in the spider's abdomen. The spider exerts
abdominal pressure to force the silk out and varies the rate of flow
by using muscles in the ducts and spigots at the extremities of the
glands. Each gland produces a different type of silk intended for
distinct purposes - wrapping prey, constructing the web, issuing sperm
drops, and manufacturing the egg sac.
Spider silk strands are more uniform in diameter that most man-made
artifacts. Per same diameter and weight, spider silk is 5 times
stronger than steel and one of the most elastic substances on earth.
It does not break even if stretched to 4 times the original length.
It is water resistant. It does not become brittle even at minus 40
degrees Celsius.
http://www.szgdocent.org/ff/f-ssilk.htm
http://www.uky.edu/Agriculture/Entomology/ythfacts/stories/spidrweb.ht
m
Squid, Giant
On the morning of 25 March 1941, the 8799 ton passenger ship Britannia
of the Anchor Line, carrying 500 passengers, was sunk by a German
marine raider, Thor, off the west coast of Africa.
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