added global http client

pkg/funcs.go

@@ -8,6 +8,11 @@ import (
 	"time"
 )
 
+// creates http client for ensuring timely timeouts
+var client = http.Client{
+	Timeout:       5 * time.Second,
+}
+
 // allowing access to "overloaded" functions
 func unfold(m mashup, response *http.Response) error {
 	return m.unmarshal(response)
@@ -39,11 +44,6 @@ func (s *Specie) unmarshal(resp *http.Response) error {
 // parses http.response as a string used later for parsing
 func getBody(url string, m mashup) error {
 
-	// creates a client to allow for timeout
-	client := http.Client{
-		Timeout: 4 * time.Second,
-	}
-
 	// sends a http request
 	resp, err := client.Get(url)
 	if err != nil {