第2章

Disturbedatthemomentofdischargingthem，themotherhasmissedthemouthofthelittlebaganddroppedthemonthefloor。Perhapseven，inherexcitement，shecamedownfromaboveand，compelledbytheexigenciesoftheovaries，laidhereggsonthefirstsupportthatoffered。Nomatter:ifherSpiderbraincontainstheleastgleamofsense，shemustbeawareofthedisasterandisthereforeboundatoncetoabandontheelaboratemanufactureofanowsuperfluousnest。

Notatall:thebagiswovenaroundnothing，asaccurateinshape，asfinishedinstructureasundernormalconditions。TheabsurdperseverancedisplayedbycertainBees，whoseeggandprovisionsI

usedtoremove，{20}ishererepeatedwithouttheslightestinterferencefromme。Myvictimsusedscrupulouslytosealuptheiremptycells。Inthesameway，theEpeiraputstheeiderdownquiltingandthetaffetawrapperroundacapsulethatcontainsnothing。

Another，distractedfromherworkbysomestartlingvibration，leaveshernestatthemomentwhenthelayerofred-brownwaddingisbeingcompleted。Shefleestothedome，atafewinchesaboveherunfinishedwork，andspendsuponashapelessmattress，ofnousewhatever，allthesilkwithwhichshewouldhavewoventheouterwrapperifnothinghadcometodisturbher。

Poorfool！Youupholsterthewiresofyourcagewithswan’s-downandyouleavetheeggsimperfectlyprotected。Theabsenceoftheworkalreadyexecutedandthehardnessofthemetaldonotwarnyouthatyouarenowengageduponasenselesstask。YouremindmeofthePelopaeus，{21}whousedtocoatwithmudtheplaceonthewallwhencehernesthadbeenremoved。Youspeaktome，inyourownfashion，ofastrangepsychologywhichisabletoreconcilethewondersofamastercraftsmanshipwithaberrationsduetounfathomablestupidity。

LetuscomparetheworkoftheBandedEpeirawiththatofthePendulineTitmouse，thecleverestofoursmallbirdsintheartofnest-building。ThisTithauntstheosier-bedsofthelowerreachesoftheRhone。Rockinggentlyintheriverbreeze，hisnestswayspendentoverthepeacefulbackwaters，atsomedistancefromthetoo-impetuouscurrent。Ithangsfromthedroopingendofthebranchofapoplar，anoldwilloworanalder，allofthemtalltrees，favouringthebanksofstreams。

Itconsistsofacottonbag，closedallround，saveforasmallopeningattheside，justsufficienttoallowofthemother’spassage。Inshape，itresemblesthebodyofanalembic，achemist’sretortwithashortlateralneck，or，betterstill，thefootofastocking，withtheedgesbroughttogether，butforalittleroundholeleftatoneside。Theoutwardappearancesincreasethelikeness:onecanalmostseethetracesofaknitting-needleworkingwithcoarsestitches。Thatiswhy，struckbythisshape，theProvencalpeasant，inhisexpressivelanguage，callsthePendulinelouDebassaire，theStocking-knitter。

Theearly-ripeningseedletsofthewidowsandpoplarsfurnishthematerialsforthework。Therebreaksfromthem，inMay，asortofvernalsnow，afinedown，whichtheeddiesoftheairheapinthecrevicesoftheground。Itisacottonsimilartothatofourmanufactures，butofveryshortstaple。Itcomesfromaninexhaustiblewarehouse:thetreeisbountiful；andthewindfromtheosier-bedsgathersthetinyflocksastheypourfromtheseeds。

Theyareeasytopickup。

Thedifficultyistosettowork。Howdoesthebirdproceed，inordertoknititsstocking？How，withsuchsimpleimplementsasitsbeakandclaws，doesitmanagetoproduceafabricwhichourskilledfingerswouldfailtoachieve？Anexaminationofthenestwillinformus，toacertainextent。

Thecottonofthepoplarcannot，ofitself，supplyahangingpocketcapableofsupportingtheweightofthebroodandresistingthebuffetingofthewind。Rammed，entangledandpackedtogether，theflocks，similartothosewhichordinarywaddingwouldgiveifchoppedupveryfine，wouldproduceonlyanagglomerationdevoidofcohesionandliabletobedispelledbythefirstbreathofair。

Theyrequireacanvas，awarp，tokeeptheminposition。

Tinydeadstalks，withfibrousbarks，wellsoftenedbytheactionofmoistureandtheair，furnishthePendulinewithacoarsetow，notunlikethatofhemp。Withtheseligaments，purgedofeverywoodyparticleandtestedforflexibilityandtenacity，hewindsanumberofloopsroundtheendofthebranchwhichhehasselectedasasupportforhisstructure。

Itisnotaveryaccuratepieceofwork。Theloopsrunclumsilyandanyhow:someareslacker，otherstighter；but，whenallissaid，itissolid，whichisthemainpoint。Also，thisfibroussheath，thekeystoneoftheedifice，occupiesafairlengthofbranch，whichenablesthefasteningsforthenettobemultiplied。

Theseveralstraps，afterdescribingacertainnumberofturns，raveloutattheendsandhangloose。Afterthemcomeinterlacedthreads，greaterinnumberandfinerintexture。Inthetangledjumbleoccurwhatmightalmostbedescribedasweaver’sknots。Asfarasonecanjudgebytheresultalone，withouthavingseenthebirdatwork，thisishowthecanvas，thesupportofthecottonwall，isobtained。

Thiswarp，thisinnerframework，isobviouslynotconstructedinitsentiretyfromthestart；itgoesongradually，asthebirdstuffsthepartaboveitwithcotton。Thewadding，pickedupbitbybitfromtheground，isteazledbythebird’sclawsandinserted，allfleecy，intothemeshesofthecanvas。Thebeakpushesit，thebreastpressesit，bothinsideandout。Theresultisasoftfeltacoupleofinchesthick。

Nearthetopofthepouch，ononeside，iscontrivedanarroworifice，taperingintoashortneck。Thisisthekitchen-door。Inordertopassthroughit，thePenduline，smallthoughhebe，hastoforcetheelasticpartition，whichyieldsslightlyandthencontracts。Lastly，thehouseisfurnishedwithamattressoffirst-qualitycotton。Hereliefromsixtoeightwhiteeggs，thesizeofacherry-stone。

Well，thiswonderfulnestisabarbarouscasematecomparedwiththatoftheBandedEpeira。Asregardsshape，thisstocking-footcannotbementionedinthesamebreathwiththeSpider’selegantandfaultlessly-roundedballoon。Thefabricofmixedcottonandtowisarusticfriezebesidethespinstress’satin；thesuspension-strapsareclumsycablescomparedwithherdelicatesilkfastenings。WhereshallwefindinthePenduline’smattressaughttoviewiththeEpeira’seiderdown，thatteazledrussetgossamer？

TheSpiderissuperiortothebirdineveryway，insofarasconcernsherwork。

But，onherside，thePendulineisamoredevotedmother。Forweeksonend，squattingatthebottomofherpurse，shepressestoherhearttheeggs，thoselittlewhitepebblesfromwhichthewarmthofherbodywillbringforthlife。TheEpeiraknowsnotthesesofterpassions。Withoutbestowingasecondglanceanit，sheabandonshernesttoitsfate，beitgoodorill。

CHAPTERIII:THENARBONNELYCOSA

TheEpeira，whodisplayssuchastonishingindustrytogivehereggsadwelling-houseofincomparableperfection，becomes，afterthat，carelessofherfamily。Forwhatreason？Shelacksthetime。Shehastodiewhenthefirstcoldcomes，whereastheeggsaredestinedtopassthewinterintheirdownysnuggery。Thedesertionofthenestisinevitable，owingtotheveryforceofthings。But，ifthehatchingwereearlierandtookplaceintheEpeira’slifetime，I

imaginethatshewouldrivalthebirdindevotion。

SoIgatherfromthe，analogyofThomisusonustus，WALCK。，ashapelySpiderwhoweavesnoweb，liesinwaitforherpreyandwalkssideways，afterthemanneroftheCrab。Ihavespokenelsewhere{22}ofherencounterswiththeDomesticBee，whomshejugulatesbybitingherintheneck。

Skilfulinthepromptdespatchofherprey，thelittleCrabSpiderisnolesswell-versedinthenestingart。Ifindhersettledonaprivetintheenclosure。Here，intheheartofaclusterofflowers，theluxuriouscreatureplaitsalittlepocketofwhitesatin，shapedlikeaweethimble。Itisthereceptaclefortheeggs。Around，flatlid，ofafeltedfabric，closesthemouth。

Abovethisceilingrisesadomeofstretchedthreadsandfadedfloweretswhichhavefallenfromthecluster。Thisisthewatcher’sbelvedere，herconning-tower。Anopening，whichisalwaysfree，givesaccesstothispost。

HeretheSpiderremainsonconstantduty。Shehasthinnedgreatlysinceshelaidhereggs，hasalmostlosthercorporation。Attheleastalarm，shesalliesforth，wavesathreateninglimbatthepassingstrangerandinviteshim，withagesture，tokeephisdistance。Havingputtheintrudertoflight，shequicklyreturnsindoors。

Andwhatdoesshedointhere，underherarchofwitheredflowersandsilk？Nightandday，sheshieldsthepreciouseggswithherpoorbodyspreadoutflat。Eatingisneglected。Nomorelyinginwait，nomoreBeesdrainedtothelastdropofblood。Motionless，raptinmeditation，theSpiderisinanincubatingposture，inotherwords，sheissittingonhereggs。Strictlyspeaking，theword’incubating’meansthatandnothingelse。

ThebroodingHenisnomoreassiduous，butsheisalsoaheating-

apparatusand，withthegentlewarmthofherbody，awakensthegermstolife。FortheSpider，theheatofthesunsuffices；andthisalonekeepsmefromsayingthatshe’broods。’

Fortwoorthreeweeks，moreandmorewrinkledbyabstinence，thelittleSpiderneverrelaxesherposition。Thencomesthehatching。

Theyoungstersstretchafewthreadsinswing-likecurvesfromtwigtotwig。Thetinyrope-dancerspractiseforsomedaysinthesun；

thentheydisperse，eachintentuponhisownaffairs。

Letusnowlookatthewatch-towerofthenest。Themotherisstillthere，butthistimelifeless。Thedevotedcreaturehasknownthedelightofseeingherfamilyborn；shehasassistedtheweaklingsthroughthetrap-door；and，whenherdutywasdone，verygentlyshedied。TheHendoesnotreachthisheightofself-

abnegation。

OtherSpidersdobetterstill，as，forinstance，theNarbonneLycosa，orBlack-belliedTarantula(Lycosanarbonnensis，WALCK。)，whoseprowesshasbeendescribedinanearlierchapter。Thereaderwillrememberherburrow，herpitofabottle-neck’swidth，duginthepebblysoilbelovedbythelavenderandthethyme。Themouthisrimmedbyabastionofgravelandbitsofwoodcementedwithsilk。Thereisnothingelsearoundherdwelling:noweb，nosnaresofanykind。

Fromherinch-highturret，theLycosaliesinwaitforthepassingLocust。Shegivesabound，pursuesthepreyandsuddenlydeprivesitofmotionwithabiteintheneck。Thegameisconsumedonthespot，orelseinthelair；theinsect’stoughhidearousesnodisgust。Thesturdyhuntressisnotadrinkerofblood，liketheEpeira；sheneedssolidfood，foodthatcracklesbetweenthejaws。

SheislikeaDogdevouringhisbone。

Wouldyoucaretobringhertothelightofdayfromthedepthsofherwell？Insertathinstrawintotheburrowandmoveitabout。

Uneasyastowhatishappeningabove，thereclusehastenstoclimbupandstops，inathreateningattitude，atsomedistancefromtheorifice。Youseehereighteyesgleaminglikediamondsinthedark；youseeherpowerfulpoison-fangsyawning，readytobite。Hewhoisnotaccustomedtothesightofthishorror，risingfromundertheground，cannotsuppressashiver。B-r-r-r-r！Letusleavethebeastalone。

Chance，apoorstand-by，sometimescontrivesverywell。AtthebeginningofthemonthofAugust，thechildrencallmetothefarsideoftheenclosure，rejoicinginafindwhichtheyhavemadeundertherosemary-bushes。ItisamagnificentLycosa，withanenormousbelly，thesignofanimpendingdelivery。

TheobeseSpiderisgravelydevouringsomethinginthemidstofacircleofonlookers。Andwhat？TheremainsofaLycosaalittlesmallerthanherself，theremainsofhermale。Itistheendofthetragedythatconcludesthenuptials。Thesweetheartiseatingherlover。Iallowthematrimonialritestobefulfilledinalltheirhorror；and，whenthelastmorseloftheunhappywretchhasbeenscrunchedup，Iincarceratetheterriblematronunderacagestandinginanearthenpanfilledwithsand。

Earlyonemorning，tendayslater，Ifindherpreparingforherconfinement。Asilknetworkisfirstspunontheground，coveringanextentaboutequaltothepalmofone’shand。Itiscoarseandshapeless，butfirmlyfixed。ThisistheflooronwhichtheSpidermeanstooperate。

Onthisfoundation，whichactsasaprotectionfromthesand，theLycosafashionsaroundmat，thesizeofatwo-francpieceandmadeofsuperbwhitesilk。Withagentle，uniformmovement，whichmightberegulatedbythewheelsofadelicatepieceofclockwork，thetipoftheabdomenrisesandfalls，eachtimetouchingthesupportingbasealittlefartheraway，untiltheextremescopeofthemechanismisattained。

Then，withouttheSpider’smovingherposition，theoscillationisresumedintheoppositedirection。Bymeansofthisalternatemotion，interspersedwithnumerouscontacts，asegmentofthesheetisobtained，ofaveryaccuratetexture。Whenthisisdone，theSpidermovesalittlealongacircularlineandtheloomworksinthesamemanneronanothersegment。

Thesilkdisk，asortofhardlyconcavepaten，nownolongerreceivesaughtfromthespinneretsinitscentre；themarginalbeltaloneincreasesinthickness。Thepiecethusbecomesabowl-shapedporringer，surroundedbyawide，flatedge。

Thetimeforthelayinghascome。Withonequickemission，theviscous，pale-yelloweggsarelaidinthebasin，wheretheyheaptogetherintheshapeofaglobewhichprojectslargelyoutsidethecavity。Thespinneretsareoncemoresetgoing。Withshortmovements，asthetipoftheabdomenrisesandfallstoweavetheroundmat，theycoveruptheexposedhemisphere。Theresultisapillsetinthemiddleofacircularcarpet。

Thelegs，hithertoidle，arenowworking。Theytakeupandbreakoffonebyonethethreadsthatkeeptheroundmatstretchedonthecoarsesupportingnetwork。Atthesametime，thefangsgripthissheet，liftitbydegrees，tearitfromitsbaseandfolditoverupontheglobeofeggs。Itisalaboriousoperation。Thewholeedificetotters，thefloorcollapses，fouledwithsand。Byamovementofthelegs，thosesoiledshredsarecastaside。Briefly，bymeansofviolenttugsofthefangs，whichpull，andbroom-likeeffortsofthelegs，whichclearaway，theLycosaextricatesthebagofeggsandremovesitasaclear-cutmass，freefromanyadhesion。

Itisawhite-silkpill，softtothetouchandglutinous。Itssizeisthatofanaveragecherry。Anobservanteyewillnotice，runninghorizontallyaroundthemiddle，afoldwhichaneedleisabletoraisewithoutbreakingit。Thishem，generallyundistinguishablefromtherestofthesurface，isnoneotherthantheedgeofthecircularmat，drawnoverthelowerhemisphere。Theotherhemisphere，throughwhichtheyoungsterswillgoout，islesswellfortified:itsonlywrapperisthetexturespunovertheeggsimmediatelyaftertheywerelaid。

Inside，thereisnothingbuttheeggs:nomattress，nosofteiderdown，likethatoftheEpeirae。TheLycosa，indeed，hasnoneedtoguardhereggsagainsttheinclemenciesofthewinter，forthehatchingwilltakeplacelongbeforethecoldweathercomes。

Similarly，theThomisus，withherearlybrood，takesgoodcarenottoincuruselessexpenditure:shegiveshereggs，fortheirprotection，asimplepurseofsatin。

Theworkofspinning，followedbythatoftearing，iscontinuedforawholemorning，fromfivetonineo’clock。Wornoutwithfatigue，themotherembracesherdearpillandremainsmotionless。Ishallseenomoreto-day。Nextmorning，IfindtheSpidercarryingthebagofeggsslungfromherstern。

Henceforth，untilthehatching，shedoesnotleavegoofthepreciousburden，which，fastenedtothespinneretsbyashortligament，dragsandbumpsalongtheground。Withthisloadbangingagainstherheels，shegoesaboutherbusiness；shewalksorrests，sheseeksherprey，attacksitanddevoursit。Shouldsomeaccidentcausethewallettodropoff，itissoonreplaced。Thespinneretstouchitsomewhere，anywhere，andthatisenough:

adhesionisatoncerestored。

TheLycosaisastay-at-home。Shenevergoesoutexcepttosnapupsomegamepassingwithinherhunting-domains，neartheburrow。AttheendofAugust，however，itisnotunusualtomeetherroamingabout，draggingherwalletbehindher。Herhesitationsmakeonethinkthatsheislookingforherhome，whichshehasleftforthemomentandhasadifficultyinfinding。

Whytheserambles？Therearetworeasons:firstthepairingandthenthemakingofthepill。Thereisalackofspaceintheburrow，whichprovidesonlyroomenoughfortheSpiderengagedinlongcontemplation。Nowthepreparationsfortheegg-bagrequireanextensiveflooring，asupportingframe-workaboutthesizeofone’shand，asmycagedprisonerhasshownus。TheLycosahasnotsomuchspaceatherdisposal，inherwell；hencethenecessityforcomingoutandworkingatherwalletintheopenair，doubtlessinthequiethoursofthenight。

Themeetingwiththemaleseemslikewisetodemandanexcursion。

Runningtheriskofbeingeatenalive，willheventuretoplungeintohislady’scave，intoalairwhenceflightwouldbeimpossible？Itisverydoubtful。Prudencedemandsthatmattersshouldtakeplaceoutside。Hereatleastthereissomechanceofbeatingahastyretreatwhichwillenabletherashswaintoescapetheattacksofhishorriblebride。

Theinterviewintheopenairlessensthedangerwithoutremovingitentirely。WehadproofofthiswhenwecaughttheLycosaintheactofdevouringherloveraboveground，inapartoftheenclosurewhichhadbeenbrokenforplantingandwhichwasthereforenotsuitablefortheSpider’sestablishment。Theburrowmusthavebeensomewayoff；andthemeetingofthepairtookplaceattheveryspotofthetragiccatastrophe。Althoughhehadaclearroad，themalewasnotquickenoughingettingawayandwasdulyeaten。

Afterthiscannibalorgy，doestheLycosagobackhome？Perhapsnot，forawhile。Besides，shewouldhavetogooutasecondtime，tomanufactureherpillonalevelspaceofsufficientextent。

Whentheworkisdone，someofthememancipatethemselves，thinktheywillhavealookatthecountrybeforeretiringforgoodandall。Itisthesewhomwesometimesmeetwanderingaimlesslyanddraggingtheirbagbehindthem。Soonerorlater，however，thevagrantsreturnhome；andthemonthofAugustisnotoverbeforeastrawrustledinanyburrowwillbringthemotherup，withherwalletslungbehindher。IamabletoprocureasmanyasIwantand，withthem，toindulgeincertainexperimentsofthehighestinterest。

Itisasightworthseeing，thatoftheLycosadragginghertreasureafterher，neverleavingit，dayornight，sleepingorwaking，anddefendingitwithacouragethatstrikesthebeholderwithawe。IfItrytotakethebagfromher，shepressesittoherbreastindespair，hangsontomypincers，bitesthemwithherpoison-fangs。Icanhearthedaggersgratingonthesteel。No，shewouldnotallowherselftoberobbedofthewalletwithimpunity，ifmyfingerswerenotsuppliedwithanimplement。

Bydintofpullingandshakingthepillwiththeforceps，ItakeitfromtheLycosa，whoprotestsfuriously。IflingherinexchangeapilltakenfromanotherLycosa。Itisatonceseizedinthefangs，embracedbythelegsandhungontothespinneret。Herownoranother’s:itisallonetotheSpider，whowalksawayproudlywiththealienwallet。Thiswastobeexpected，inviewofthesimilarityofthepillsexchanged。

Atestofanotherkind，withasecondsubject，rendersthemistakemorestriking。Isubstitute，intheplaceofthelawfulbagwhichIhaveremoved，theworkoftheSilkyEpeira。Thecolourandsoftnessofthematerialarethesameinbothcases；buttheshapeisquitedifferent。Thestolenobjectisaglobe；theobjectpresentedinexchangeisanellipticalconoidstuddedwithangularprojectionsalongtheedgeofthebase。TheSpidertakesnoaccountofthisdissimilarity。Shepromptlygluesthequeerbagtoherspinneretsandisaspleasedasthoughshewereinpossessionofherrealpill。Myexperimentalvillainieshavenootherconsequencesbeyondanephemeralcarting。Whenhatching-timearrives，earlyinthecaseoftheLycosa，lateinthatoftheEpeira，thegulledSpiderabandonsthestrangebagandpaysitnofurtherattention。

Letuspenetrateyetdeeperintothewallet-bearer’sstupidity。

AfterdeprivingtheLycosaofhereggs，Ithrowheraballofcork，roughlypolishedwithafileandofthesamesizeasthestolenpill。Sheacceptsthecorkysubstance，sodifferentfromthesilkpurse，withouttheleastdemur。Onewouldhavethoughtthatshewouldrecognizehermistakewiththoseeighteyesofhers，whichgleamlikepreciousstones。Thesillycreaturepaysnoattention。

Lovinglysheembracesthecorkball，fondlesitwithherpalpi，fastensittoherspinneretsandthenceforthdragsitafterherasthoughsheweredraggingherownbag。

Letusgiveanotherthechoicebetweentheimitationandthereal。

Therightfulpillandthecorkballareplacedtogetheronthefloorofthejar。WilltheSpiderbeabletoknowtheonethatbelongstoher？Thefoolisincapableofdoingso。Shemakesawildrushandseizeshaphazardatonetimeherproperty，atanothermyshamproduct。Whateverisfirsttouchedbecomesagoodcaptureandisforthwithhungup。

IfIincreasethenumberofcorkballs，ifIputinfourorfiveofthem，withtherealpillamongthem，itisseldomthattheLycosarecoversherownproperty。Attemptsatenquiry，attemptsatselectiontherearenone。Whatevershesnapsupatrandomshesticksto，beitgoodorbad。Astherearemoreoftheshampillsofcork，thesearethemostoftenseizedbytheSpider。

Thisobtusenessbafflesme。Cantheanimalbedeceivedbythesoftcontactofthecork？Ireplacethecorkballsbypelletsofcottonorpaper，keptintheirroundshapewithafewbandsofthread。

Bothareveryreadilyacceptedinsteadoftherealbagthathasbeenremoved。

Cantheillusionbeduetothecolouring，whichislightinthecorkandnotunlikethetintofthesilkglobewhensoiledwithalittleearth，whileitiswhiteinthepaperandthecotton，whenitisidenticalwiththatoftheoriginalpill？IgivetheLycosa，inexchangeforherwork，apelletofsilkthread，chosenofafinered，thebrightestofallcolours。Theuncommonpillisasreadilyacceptedandasjealouslyguardedastheothers。

Wewillleavethewallet-beareralone；weknowallthatwewanttoknowaboutherpovertyofintellect。Letuswaitforthehatching，whichtakesplaceinthefirstfortnightinSeptember。Astheycomeoutofthepill，theyoungsters，tothenumberofaboutacoupleofhundred，clamberontheSpider’sbackandtheresitmotionless，jammedclosetogether，formingasortofbarkofmingledlegsandpaunches。Themotherisunrecognizableunderthislivemantilla。Whenthehatchingisover，thewalletisloosenedfromthespinneretsandcastasideasaworthlessrag。

Thelittleonesareverygood:nonestirsnonetriestogetmoreroomforhimselfathisneighbours’expense。Whataretheydoingthere，soquietly？Theyallowthemselvestobecartedabout，liketheyoungoftheOpossum。Whethershesitinlongmeditationatthebottomofherden，orcometotheorifice，inmildweather，tobaskinthesun，theLycosaneverthrowsoffhergreat-coatofswarmingyoungstersuntilthefineseasoncomes。

If，inthemiddleofwinter，inJanuaryorFebruary，Ihappen，outinthefields，toransacktheSpider’sdwelling，aftertherain，snowandfrosthavebattereditand，asarule，dismantledthebastionattheentrance，Ialwaysfindherathome，stillfullofvigour，stillcarryingherfamily。Thisvehicularupbringinglastsfiveorsixmonthsatleast，withoutinterruption。ThecelebratedAmericancarrier，theOpossum，whoemancipatesheroffspringafterafewweeks’carting，cutsapoorfigurebesidetheLycosa。

Whatdothelittleoneseat，onthematernalspine？Nothing，sofarasIknow。Idonotseethemgrowlarger。Ifindthem，atthetardyperiodoftheiremancipation，justastheywerewhentheyleftthebag。

Duringthebadseason，themotherherselfisextremelyabstemious。

Atlongintervals，sheaccepts，inmyjars，abelatedLocust，whomIhavecaptured，forherbenefit，inthesunniernooks。Inordertokeepherselfincondition，aswhensheisdugupinthecourseofmywinterexcavations，shemustthereforesometimesbreakherfastandcomeoutinsearchofprey，without，ofcourse，discardingherlivemantilla。

Theexpeditionhasitsdangers。Theyoungstersmaybebrushedoffbyabladeofgrass。Whatbecomesofthemwhentheyhaveafall？

Doesthemothergivethemathought？Doesshecometotheirassistanceandhelpthemtoregaintheirplaceonherback？Notatall。TheaffectionofaSpider’sheart，dividedamongsomehundreds，cansparebutaveryfeebleportiontoeach。TheLycosahardlytroubles，whetheroneyoungsterfallfromhisplace，orsix，orallofthem。Shewaitsimpassivelyforthevictimsofthemishaptogetoutoftheirowndifficulty，whichtheydo，forthatmatter，andverynimbly。

Isweepthewholefamilyfromthebackofoneofmyboarderswithahair-pencil。Notasignofemotion，notanattemptatsearchonthepartofthedenudedone。Aftertrottingaboutalittleonthesand，thedislodgedyoungstersfind，thesehere，thosethere，oneorotherofthemother’slegs，spreadwideinacircle。Bymeansoftheseclimbing-poles，theyswarmtothetopandsoonthedorsalgroupresumesitsoriginalform。Notoneofthelotismissing。

TheLycosa’ssonsknowtheirtradeasacrobatstoperfection:themotherneednottroubleherheadabouttheirfall。

Withasweepofthepencil，ImakethefamilyofoneSpiderfallaroundanotherladenwithherownfamily。Thedislodgedonesnimblyscrambleupthelegsandclimbonthebackoftheirnewmother，whokindlyallowsthemtobehaveasthoughtheybelongedtoher。Thereisnoroomontheabdomen，theregulationresting-

place，whichisalreadyoccupiedbytherealsons。Theinvadersthereuponencamponthefrontpart，besetthethoraxandchangethecarrierintoahorriblepin-cushionthatnolongerbearstheleastresemblancetoaSpiderform。Meanwhile，thesuffererraisesnosortofprotestagainstthisaccessoffamily。Sheplacidlyacceptsthemallandwalksthemallabout。

Theyoungsters，ontheirside，areunabletodistinguishbetweenwhatispermittedandforbidden。Remarkableacrobatsthattheyare，theyclimbonthefirstSpiderthatcomesalong，evenwhenofadifferentspecies，providedthatshebeofafairsize。IplacetheminthepresenceofabigEpeiramarkedwithawhitecrossonapale-orangeground(Epeirapallida，OLIV。)。Thelittleones，assoonastheyaredislodgedfromthebackoftheLycosatheirmother，clamberupthestrangerwithouthesitation。

Intolerantofthesefamiliarities，theSpidershakesthelegencroacheduponandflingstheintruderstoadistance。Theassaultisdoggedlyresumed，tosuchgoodpurposethatadozensucceedinhoistingthemselvestothetop。TheEpeira，whoisnotaccustomedtotheticklingofsuchaload，turnsoveronherbackandrollsonthegroundinthemannerofadonkeywhenhishideisitching。Somearelamed，someareevencrushed。Thisdoesnotdetertheothers，whorepeattheescaladeassoonastheEpeiraisonherlegsagain。Thencomemoresomersaults，morerollingsontheback，untilthegiddyswarmarealldiscomfitedandleavetheSpiderinpeace。

ChapterIV:THENARBONNELYCOSA:THEBURROW

Michelet{23}hastoldushow，asaprinter’sapprenticeinacellar，heestablishedamicablerelationswithaSpider。Atacertainhouroftheday，arayofsunlightwouldglintthroughthewindowofthegloomyworkshopandlightupthelittlecompositor’scase。Thenhiseight-leggedneighbourwouldcomedownfromherwebandtakehershareofthesunshineontheedgeofthecase。Theboydidnotinterferewithher；hewelcomedthetrustingvisitorasafriendandasapleasantdiversionfromthelongmonotony。Whenwelackthesocietyofourfellow-men，wetakerefugeinthatofanimals，withoutalwayslosingbythechange。

Idonot，thankGod，sufferfromthemelancholyofacellar:mysolitudeisgaywithlightandverdure；Iattend，wheneverI

please，thefields’highfestival，theThrushes’concert，theCrickets’symphony；andyetmyfriendlycommercewiththeSpiderismarkedbyanevengreaterdevotionthantheyoungtypesetter’s。I

admithertotheintimacyofmystudy，Imakeroomforheramongmybooks，Isetherinthesunonmywindow-ledge，Ivisitherassiduouslyatherhome，inthecountry。Theobjectofourrelationsisnottocreateameansofescapefromthepettyworriesoflife，pin-prickswhereofIhavemysharelikeothermen，averylargeshare，indeed；IproposetosubmittotheSpiderahostofquestionswhereto，attimes，shecondescendstoreply。

Towhatfairproblemsdoesnotthehabitoffrequentinghergiverise！Tosetthemforthworthily，themarvellousartwhichthelittleprinterwastoacquirewerenottoomuch。OneneedsthepenofaMichelet；andIhavebutarough，bluntpencil。Letustry，nevertheless:evenwhenpoorlyclad，truthisstillbeautiful。

IwillthereforeoncemoretakeupthestoryoftheSpider’sinstinct，astoryofwhichtheprecedingchaptershavegivenbutaveryroughidea。SinceIwrotethoseearlieressays，myfieldofobservationhasbeengreatlyextended。Mynoteshavebeenenrichedbynewandmostremarkablefacts。ItisrightthatIshouldemploythemforthepurposeofamoredetailedbiography。

Theexigenciesoforderandclearnessexposeme，itistrue，tooccasionalrepetitions。Thisisinevitablewhenonehastomarshalinanharmoniouswholeathousanditemsculledfromdaytoday，oftenunexpectedly，andbearingnorelationonetotheother。Theobserverisnotmasterofhistime；opportunityleadshimandbyunsuspectedways。Acertainquestionsuggestedbyanearlierfactfindsnoreplyuntilmanyyearsafter。Itsscope，moreover，isamplifiedandcompletedwithviewscollectedontheroad。Inawork，therefore，ofthisfragmentarycharacter，repetitions，necessaryforthedueco-ordinationofideas，areinevitable。I

shallbeassparingofthemasIcan。

LetusoncemoreintroduceouroldfriendstheEpeiraandtheLycosa，whoarethemostimportantSpidersinmydistrict。TheNarbonneLycosa，orBlack-belliedTarantula，choosesherdomicileinthewaste，pebblylandsbelovedofthethyme。Herdwelling，afortressratherthanavilla，isaburrowaboutnineinchesdeepandaswideastheneckofaclaret-bottle。Thedirectionisperpendicular，insofarasobstacles，frequentinasoilofthiskind，permit。Abitofgravelcanbeextractedandhoistedoutside；butaflintisanimmovableboulderwhichtheSpideravoidsbygivingabendtohergallery。Ifmoresucharemetwith，theresidencebecomesawindingcave，withstonevaults，withlobbiescommunicatingbymeansofsharppassages。

Thislackofplanhasnoattendantdrawbacks，sowelldoestheowner，fromlonghabit，knoweverycornerandstoreyofhermansion。Ifanyinterestingbuzzoccuroverhead，theLycosaclimbsupfromherruggedmanorwiththesamespeedasfromaverticalshaft。Perhapssheevenfindsthewindingsandturningsanadvantage，whenshehastodragintoherdenapreythathappenstodefenditself。

Asarule，theendoftheburrowwidensintoaside-chamber，aloungeorresting-placewheretheSpidermeditatesatlengthandiscontenttoleadalifeofquietwhenherbellyisfull。

Asilkcoating，butascantyone，fortheLycosahasnotthewealthofsilkpossessedbytheWeavingSpiders，linesthewallsofthetubeandkeepsthelooseearthfromfalling。Thisplaster，whichcementstheincohesiveandsmoothstheruggedparts，isreservedmoreparticularlyforthetopofthegallery，nearthemouth。

Here，intheday-time，ifthingsbepeacefulallaround，theLycosastationsherself，eithertoenjoythewarmthofthesun，hergreatdelight，ortolieinwaitforgame。Thethreadsofthesilkliningaffordafirmholdtotheclawsoneveryside，whethertheobjectbetositmotionlessforhours，revellinginthelightandheat，ortopounceuponthepassingprey。

Aroundtheorificeoftheburrowrises，toagreaterorlesserheight，acircularparapet，formedoftinypebbles，twigsandstrapsborrowedfromthedryleavesoftheneighbouringgrasses，allmoreorlessdexterouslytiedtogetherandcementedwithsilk。

Thisworkofrusticarchitectureisnevermissing，eventhoughitbenomorethanamerepad。

Whenshereachesmaturityandisoncesettled，theLycosabecomeseminentlydomesticated。Ihavebeenlivinginclosecommunionwithherforthelastthreeyears。Ihaveinstalledherinlargeearthenpansonthewindow-sillsofmystudyandIhaveherdailyundermyeyes。Well，itisveryrarelythatIhappenonheroutside，afewinchesfromherhole，backtowhichsheboltsattheleastalarm。

Wemaytakeit，then，that，whennotincaptivity，theLycosadoesnotgofarafieldtogatherthewherewithaltobuildherparapetandthatshemakesshiftwithwhatshefindsuponherthreshold。

Intheseconditions，thebuilding-stonesaresoonexhaustedandthemasonryceasesforlackofmaterials。

Thewishcameovermetoseewhatdimensionsthecircularedificewouldassume，iftheSpiderweregivenanunlimitedsupply。WithcaptivestowhomImyselfactaspurveyorthethingiseasyenough。

WereitonlywithaviewtohelpingwhosomayonedaycaretocontinuetheserelationswiththebigSpiderofthewaste-lands，letmedescribehowmysubjectsarehoused。

Agood-sizedearthenwarepan，somenineinchesdeep，isfilledwithared，clayeyearth，richinpebbles，similar，inshort，tothatoftheplaceshauntedbytheLycosa。Properlymoistenedintoapaste，theartificialsoilisheaped，layerbylayer，aroundacentralreed，ofaboreequaltothatoftheanimal’snaturalburrow。Whenthereceptacleisfilledtothetop，Iwithdrawthereed，whichleavesayawning，perpendicularshaft。Ithusobtaintheabodewhichshallreplacethatofthefields。

Tofindthehermittoinhabititismerelythematterofawalkintheneighbourhood。Whenremovedfromherowndwelling，whichisturnedtopsy-turvybymytrowel，andplacedinpossessionofthedenproducedbymyart，theLycosaatoncedisappearsintothatden。Shedoesnotcomeoutagain，seeksnothingbetterelsewhere。

Alargewire-gauzecoverrestsonthesoilinthepanandpreventsescape。

Inanycase，thewatch，inthisrespect，makesnodemandsuponmydiligence。Theprisonerissatisfiedwithhernewabodeandmanifestsnoregretforhernaturalburrow。Thereisnoattemptatflightonherpart。Letmenotomittoaddthateachpanmustreceivenotmorethanoneinhabitant。TheLycosaisveryintolerant。Toher，aneighbourisfairgame，tobeeatenwithoutscruplewhenonehasmightonone’sside。Timewaswhen，unawareofthisfierceintolerance，whichismoresavagestillatbreeding-

time，Isawhideousorgiesperpetratedinmyoverstockedcages。I

shallhaveoccasiontodescribethosetragedieslater。

LetusmeanwhileconsidertheisolatedLycosae。TheydonottouchupthedwellingwhichIhavemouldedforthemwithabitofreed；

atmost，nowandagain，perhapswiththeobjectofformingaloungeorbedroomatthebottom，theyflingoutafewloadsofrubbish。

Butall，littlebylittle，buildthekerbthatistoedgethemouth。

Ihavegiventhemplentyoffirst-ratematerials，farsuperiortothosewhichtheyusewhenlefttotheirownresources。Theseconsist，first，forthefoundations，oflittlesmoothstones，someofwhichareaslargeasanalmond。Withthisroad-metalaremingledshortstripsofraphia，orpalm-fibre，flexibleribbons，easilybent。ThesestandfortheSpider’susualbasket-work，consistingofslenderstalksanddrybladesofgrass。Lastly，bywayofanunprecedentedtreasure，neveryetemployedbyaLycosa，I

placeatmycaptives’disposalsomethickthreadsofwool，cutintoinchlengths。

AsIwish，atthesametime，tofindoutwhethermyanimals，withthemagnificentlensesoftheireyes，areabletodistinguishcoloursandpreferonecolourtoanother，Imixupbitsofwoolofdifferenthues:therearered，green，whiteandyellowpieces。IftheSpiderhaveanypreference，shecanchoosewhereshepleases。

TheLycosaalwaysworksatnight，aregrettablecircumstance，whichdoesnotallowmetofollowtheworker’smethods。Iseetheresult；andthatisall。WereItovisitthebuilding-yardbythelightofalantern，Ishouldbenowiser。Theanimal，whichisveryshy，wouldatoncediveintoherlair；andIshouldhavelostmysleepfornothing。Furthermore，sheisnotaverydiligentlabourer；shelikestotakehertime。Twoorthreebitsofwoolorraphiaplacedinpositionrepresentawholenight’swork。Andtothisslownesswemustaddlongspellsofutteridleness。

Twomonthspass；andtheresultofmyliberalitysurpassesmyexpectations。Possessingmorewindfallsthantheyknowwhattodowith，allpickedupintheirimmediateneighbourhood，myLycosaehavebuiltthemselvesdonjon-keepsthelikeofwhichtheirracehasnotyetknown。Aroundtheorifice，onaslightlyslopingbank，small，flat，smoothstoneshavebeenlaidtoformabroken，flaggedpavement。Thelargerstones，whichareCyclopeanblockscomparedwiththesizeoftheanimalthathasshiftedthem，areemployedasabundantlyastheothers。

Onthisrockworkstandsthedonjon。Itisaninterlacingofraphiaandbitsofwool，pickedupatrandom，withoutdistinctionofshade。Redandwhite，greenandyellowaremixedwithoutanyattemptatorder。TheLycosaisindifferenttothejoysofcolour。

Theultimateresultisasortofmuff，acoupleofincheshigh。

Bandsofsilk，suppliedbythespinnerets，unitethepieces，sothatthewholeresemblesacoarsefabric。Withoutbeingabsolutelyfaultless，fortherearealwaysawkwardpiecesontheoutside，whichtheworkercouldnothandle，thegaudybuildingisnotdevoidofmerit。Thebirdliningitsnestwoulddonobetter。Whososeesthecurious，many-colouredproductionsinmypanstakesthemforanoutcomeofmyindustry，contrivedwithaviewtosomeexperimentalmischief；andhissurpriseisgreatwhenIconfesswhotherealauthoris。NoonewouldeverbelievetheSpidercapableofconstructingsuchamonument。

Itgoeswithoutsayingthat，inastateofliberty，onourbarrenwaste-lands，theLycosadoesnotindulgeinsuchsumptuousarchitecture。Ihavegiventhereason:sheistoogreatastay-

at-hometogoinsearchofmaterialsandshemakesuseofthelimitedresourceswhichshefindsaroundher。Bitsofearth，smallchipsofstone，afewtwigs，afewwitheredgrasses:thatisall，ornearlyall。Whereforetheworkisgenerallyquitemodestandreducedtoaparapetthathardlyattractsattention。

Mycaptivesteachusthat，whenmaterialsareplentiful，especiallytextilematerialsthatremoveallfearsoflandslip，theLycosadelightsintallturrets。Sheunderstandstheartofdonjon-

buildingandputsitintopracticeasoftenasshepossessesthemeans。

Thisartisakintoanother，fromwhichitisapparentlyderived。

Ifthesunbefierceorifrainthreaten，theLycosaclosestheentrancetoherdwellingwithasilkentrellis-work，whereinsheembedsdifferentmatters，oftentheremnantsofvictimswhichshehasdevoured。TheancientGaelnailedtheheadsofhisvanquishedenemiestothedoorofhishut。Inthesameway，thefierceSpiderstickstheskullsofherpreyintothelidofhercave。Theselumpslookverywellontheogre’sroof；butwemustbecarefulnottomistakethemforwarliketrophies。Theanimalknowsnothingofourbarbarousbravado。Everythingatthethresholdoftheburrowisusedindiscriminately:fragmentsofLocust，vegetableremainsandespeciallyparticlesofearth。ADragon-fly’sheadbakedbythesunisasgoodasabitofgravelandnobetter。

Andso，withsilkandallsortsoftinymaterials，theLycosabuildsaliddedcaptotheentranceofherhome。Iamnotwellacquaintedwiththereasonsthatprompthertobarricadeherselfindoors，particularlyastheseclusionisonlytemporaryandvariesgreatlyinduration。IobtainprecisedetailsfromatribeofLycosaewherewiththeenclosure，aswillbeseenlater，happenstobethrongedinconsequenceofmyinvestigationsintothedispersalofthefamily。

AtthetimeofthetropicalAugustheat，IseemyLycosae，nowthisbatch，nowthat，building，attheentrancetotheburrow，aconvexceiling，whichisdifficulttodistinguishfromthesurroundingsoil。Canitbetoprotectthemselvesfromthetoo-vividlight？

Thisisdoubtful；for，afewdayslater，thoughthepowerofthesunremainthesame，theroofisbrokenopenandtheSpiderreappearsatherdoor，wheresherevelsinthetorridheatofthedog-days。

Later，whenOctobercomes，ifitberainyweather，sheretiresoncemoreunderaroof，asthoughshewereguardingherselfagainstthedamp。Letusnotbetoopositiveofanything，however:often，whenitisraininghard，theSpiderburstsherceilingandleavesherhouseopentotheskies。

Perhapsthelidisonlyputonforseriousdomesticevents，notablyforthelaying。Ido，infact，perceiveyoungLycosaewhoshutthemselvesinbeforetheyhaveattainedthedignityofmotherhoodandwhoreappear，sometimelater，withthebagcontainingtheeggshungtotheirstern。Theinferencethattheyclosethedoorwiththeobjectofsecuringgreaterquietwhilespinningthematernalcocoonwouldnotbeinkeepingwiththeunconcerndisplayedbythemajority。Ifindsomewholaytheireggsinanopenburrow；Icomeuponsomewhoweavetheircocoonandcramitwitheggsintheopenair，beforetheyevenownaresidence。Inshort，Idonotsucceedinfathomingthereasonsthatcausetheburrowtobeclosed，nomatterwhattheweather，hotorcold，wetordry。

Thefactremainsthatthelidisbrokenandrepairedrepeatedly，sometimesonthesameday。Inspiteoftheearthycasing，thesilkwoofgivesittherequisitepliancytocleavewhenpushedbytheanchoriteandtoripopenwithoutfallingintoruins。Sweptbacktothecircumferenceofthemouthandincreasedbythewreckageoffurtherceilings，itbecomesaparapet，whichtheLycosaraisesbydegreesinherlongmomentsofleisure。Thebastionwhichsurmountstheburrow，therefore，takesitsoriginfromthetemporarylid。Theturretderivesfromthesplitceiling。

Whatisthepurposeofthisturret？Mypanswilltellusthat。Anenthusiasticvotaryofthechase，solongassheisnotpermanentlyfixed，theLycosa，onceshehassetuphouse，preferstolieinambushandwaitforthequarry。Everyday，whentheheatisgreatest，Iseemycaptivescomeupslowlyfromundergroundandleanuponthebattlementsoftheirwoollycastle-keep。Theyarethenreallymagnificentintheirstatelygravity。Withtheirswellingbellycontainedwithintheaperture，theirheadoutside，theirglassyeyesstaring，theirlegsgatheredforaspring，forhoursandhourstheywait，motionless，bathingvoluptuouslyinthesun。

Shouldatit-bittoherlikinghappentopass，forthwiththewatcherdartsfromhertalltower，swiftasanarrowfromthebow。

Withadagger-thrustintheneck，shestabsthejugularoftheLocust，Dragon-flyorotherpreywhereofIamthepurveyor；andsheasquicklyscalesthedonjonandretireswithhercapture。Theperformanceisawonderfulexhibitionofskillandspeed。

Veryseldomisaquarrymissed，providedthatitpassataconvenientdistance，withintherangeofthehuntress’bound。But，ifthepreybeatsomedistance，forinstanceonthewireofthecage，theLycosatakesnonoticeofit。Scorningtogoinpursuit，sheallowsittoroamatwill。Sheneverstrikesexceptwhensureofherstroke。Sheachievesthisbymeansofhertower。Hidingbehindthewall，sheseesthestrangeradvancing，keepshereyesonhimandsuddenlypounceswhenhecomeswithinreach。Theseabrupttacticsmakethethingacertainty。Thoughhewerewingedandswiftofflight，theunwaryonewhoapproachestheambushislost。

Thispresumes，itistrue，anexemplarypatienceontheLycosa’spart；fortheburrowhasnaughtthatcanservetoenticevictims。

Atbest，theledgeprovidedbytheturretmay，atrareintervals，temptsomewearywayfarertouseitasaresting-place。But，ifthequarrydonotcometo-day，itissuretocometo-morrow，thenextday，orlater，fortheLocustshopinnumerableinthewaste-

land，noraretheyalwaysabletoregulatetheirleaps。Somedayorother，chanceisboundtobringoneofthemwithinthepurlieusoftheburrow。Thisisthemomenttospringuponthepilgrimfromtheramparts。Untilthen，wemaintainastoicalvigilance。Weshalldinewhenwecan；butweshallendbydining。

TheLycosa，therefore，wellawareoftheselingeringeventualities，waitsandisnotundulydistressedbyaprolongedabstinence。Shehasanaccommodatingstomach，whichissatisfiedtobegorgedto-

dayandtoremainemptyafterwardsforgoodnessknowshowlong。I

havesometimesneglectedmycatering-dutiesforweeksatatime；

andmyboardershavebeennonetheworseforit。Afteramoreorlessprotractedfast，theydonotpineaway，butaresmittenwithawolf-likehunger。Alltheseravenouseatersarealike:theyguzzletoexcessto-day，inanticipationofto-morrow’sdearth。

Inheryouth，beforeshehasaburrow，theLycosaearnsherlivinginanothermanner。Cladingreylikeherelders，butwithouttheblack-velvetapronwhichshereceivesonattainingthemarriageableage，sheroamsamongthescrubbygrass。Thisistruehunting。

Shouldasuitablequarryheaveinsight，theSpiderpursuesit，drivesitfromitsshelters，followsithot-foot。Thefugitivegainstheheights，makesasthoughtoflyaway。Hehasnotthetime。Withanupwardleap，theLycosagrabshimbeforehecanrise。

IamcharmedwiththeagilitywherewithmyyearlingboardersseizetheFlieswhichIprovideforthem。InvaindoestheFlytakerefugeacoupleofinchesup，onsomebladeofgrass。Withasuddenspringintotheair，theSpiderpouncesontheprey。NoCatisquickerincatchingherMouse。

Butthesearethefeatsofyouthnothandicappedbyobesity。

Later，whenaheavypaunch，dilatedwitheggsandsilk，hastobetrailedalong，thosegymnasticperformancesbecomeimpracticable。

TheLycosathendigsherselfasettledabode，ahunting-box，andsitsinherwatch-tower，onthelook-outforgame。

WhenandhowistheburrowobtainedwhereintheLycosa，onceavagrant，nowastay-at-home，istospendtheremainderofherlonglife？Weareinautumn，theweatherisalreadyturningcool。ThisishowtheFieldCricketsetstowork:aslongasthedaysarefineandthenightsnottoocold，thefuturechoristerofspringramblesoverthefallows，carelessofalocalhabitation。Atcriticalmoments，thecoverofadeadleafprovideshimwithatemporaryshelter。Intheend，theburrow，thepermanentdwelling，isdugastheinclementseasondrawsnigh。

TheLycosasharestheCricket’sviews:likehim，shefindsathousandpleasuresinthevagabondlife。WithSeptembercomesthenuptialbadge，theblack-velvetbib。TheSpidersmeetatnight，bythesoftmoonlight:theyromptogether，theyeatthebelovedshortlyafterthewedding；byday，theyscourthecountry，theytrackthegameontheshort-pile，grassycarpet，theytaketheirfillofthejoysofthesun。Thatismuchbetterthansolitarymeditationatthebottomofawell。Andsoitisnotraretoseeyoungmothersdraggingtheirbagofeggs，orevenalreadycarryingtheirfamily，andasyetwithoutahome。

InOctober，itistimetosettledown。Wethen，infact，findtwosortsofburrows，whichdifferindiameter。Thelarger，bottle-

neckburrowsbelongtotheoldmatrons，whohaveownedtheirhousefortwoyearsatleast。Thesmaller，ofthewidthofathicklead-

pencil，containtheyoungmothers，bornthatyear。Bydintoflongandleisurelyalterations，thenovice’searthswillincreaseindepthaswellasindiameterandbecomeroomyabodes，similartothoseofthegrandmothers。Inboth，wefindtheownerandherfamily，thelattersometimesalreadyhatchedandsometimesstillenclosedinthesatinwallet。

Seeingnodigging-tools，suchastheexcavationofthedwellingseemedtometorequire，IwonderedwhethertheLycosamightnotavailherselfofsomechancegallery，theworkoftheCicadaortheEarth-worm。Thisready-madetunnel，thoughtI，mustshortenthelaboursoftheSpider，whoappearstobesobadlyofffortools；

shewouldonlyhavetoenlargeitandputitinorder。Iwaswrong:theburrowisexcavated，fromstarttofinish，byherunaidedlabour。

Thenwherearethedigging-implements？Wethinkofthelegs，oftheclaws。Wethinkofthem，butreflectiontellsusthattoolssuchasthesewouldnotdo:theyaretoolongandtoodifficulttowieldinaconfinedspace。Whatisrequiredistheminer’sshort-

handledpick，wherewithtodrivehard，toinsert，toleverandtoextract；whatisrequiredisthesharppointthatenterstheearthandcrumblesitintofragments。ThereremaintheLycosa’sfangs，delicateweaponswhichweatfirsthesitatetoassociatewithsuchwork，soillogicaldoesitseemtodigapitwithsurgeon’sscalpels。

Thefangsareapairofsharp，curvedpoints，which，whenatrest，crooklikeafingerandtakeshelterbetweentwostrongpillars。

TheCatsheathesherclawsunderthevelvetofthepaw，topreservetheiredgeandsharpness。Inthesameway，theLycosaprotectsherpoisoneddaggersbyfoldingthemwithinthecaseoftwopowerfulcolumns，whichcomeplumbonthesurfaceandcontainthemusclesthatworkthem。

Well，thissurgicaloutfit，intendedforstabbingthejugulararteryoftheprey，suddenlybecomesapick-axeanddoesroughnavvy’swork。Towitnesstheundergrounddiggingisimpossible；

butwecan，atleast，withtheexerciseofalittlepatience，seetherubbishcartedaway。IfIwatchmycaptives，withouttiring，ataveryearlyhour——fortheworktakesplacemostlyatnightandatlongintervals——intheendIcatchthemcomingupwithaload。

ContrarytowhatIexpected，thelegstakenopartinthecarting。

Itisthemouththatactsasthebarrow。Atinyballofearthisheldbetweenthefangsandissupportedbythepalpi，orfeelers，whicharelittlearmsemployedintheserviceofthemouth-parts。

TheLycosadescendscautiouslyfromherturret，goestosomedistancetogetridofherburdenandquicklydivesdownagaintobringupmore。

Wehaveseenenough:weknowthattheLycosa’sfangs，thoselethalweapons，arenotafraidtobiteintoclayandgravel。Theykneadtheexcavatedrubbishintopellets，takeupthemassofearthandcarryitoutside。Therestfollowsnaturally；itisthefangsthatdig，delveandextract。Howfinely-temperedtheymustbe，nottobebluntedbythiswell-sinker’sworkandtododutypresentlyinthesurgicaloperationofstabbingtheneck！

Ihavesaidthattherepairsandextensionsoftheburrowaremadeatlongintervals。Fromtimetotime，thecircularparapetreceivesadditionsandbecomesalittlehigher；lessfrequentlystill，thedwellingisenlargedanddeepened。Asarule，themansionremainsasitwasforawholeseason。Towardstheendofwinter，inMarchmorethanatanyotherperiod，theLycosaseemstowishtogiveherselfalittlemorespace。Thisisthemomenttosubjecthertocertaintests。

WeknowthattheFieldCricket，whenremovedfromhisburrowandcagedunderconditionsthatwouldallowhimtodighimselfanewhomeshouldthefitseizehim，preferstotrampfromonecasualsheltertoanother，orratherabandonseveryideaofcreatingapermanentresidence。Thereisashortseasonwhereattheinstinctforbuildingasubterraneangalleryisimperativelyaroused。Whenthisseasonispast，theexcavatingartist，ifaccidentallydeprivedofhisabode，becomesawanderingBohemian，carelessofalodging。Hehasforgottenhistalentsandhesleepsout。

Thatthebird，thenest-builder，shouldneglectitsartwhenithasnobroodtocareforisperfectlylogical:itbuildsforitsfamily，notforitself。ButwhatshallwesayoftheCricket，whoisexposedtoathousandmishapswhenawayfromhome？Theprotectionofaroofwouldbeofgreatusetohim；andthegiddy-

patedoesnotgiveitathought，thoughheisverystrongandmorecapablethaneverofdiggingwithhispowerfuljaws。

Whatreasoncanweallegeforthisneglect？None，unlessitbethattheseasonofstrenuousburrowingispast。Theinstinctshaveacalendaroftheirown。Atthegivenhour，suddenlytheyawaken；

assuddenly，afterwards，theyfallasleep。Theingeniousbecomeincompetentwhentheprescribedperiodisended。

Onasubjectofthiskind，wecanconsulttheSpiderofthewaste-

lands。IcatchanoldLycosainthefieldsandhouseher，thatsameday，underwire，inaburrowwhereIhavepreparedasoiltoherliking。If，bymycontrivancesandwithabitofreed，IhavepreviouslymouldedaburrowroughlyrepresentingtheonefromwhichItookher，theSpiderentersitforthwithandseemspleasedwithhernewresidence。Theproductofmyartisacceptedasherlawfulpropertyandundergoeshardlyanyalterations。Incourseoftime，abastioniserectedaroundtheorifice；thetopofthegalleryiscementedwithsilk；andthatisall。Inthisestablishmentofmybuilding，theanimal’sbehaviourremainswhatitwouldbeundernaturalconditions。

ButplacetheLycosaonthesurfaceoftheground，withoutfirstshapingaburrow。WhatwillthehomelessSpiderdo？Digherselfadwelling，onewouldthink。Shehasthestrengthtodoso；sheisintheprimeoflife。Besides，thesoilissimilartothatwhenceIoustedherandsuitstheoperationperfectly。WethereforeexpecttoseetheSpidersettledbeforelonginashaftofherownconstruction。

Wearedisappointed。Weekspassandnotaneffortismade，notone。Demoralizedbytheabsenceofanambush，theLycosahardlyvouchsafesaglanceatthegamewhichIserveup。TheCricketspasswithinherreachinvain；mostoftenshescornsthem。Sheslowlywastesawaywithfastingandboredom。Atlength，shedies。

Takeupyourminer’stradeagain，poorfool！Makeyourselfahome，sinceyouknowhowto，andlifewillbesweettoyouformanyalongdayyet:theweatherisfineandvictualsplentiful。Dig，delve，gounderground，wheresafetylies。Likeanidiot，yourefrain；andyouperish。Why？

Becausethecraftwhichyouwerewonttoplyisforgotten；becausethedaysofpatientdiggingarepastandyourpoorbrainisunabletoworkback。Todoasecondtimewhathasbeendonealreadyisbeyondyourwit。Forallyourmeditativeair，youcannotsolvetheproblemofhowtoreconstructthatwhichisvanishedandgone。

LetusnowseewhatwecandowithyoungerLycosae，whoareattheburrowing-stage。IdigoutfiveorsixattheendofFebruary。

Theyarehalfthesizeoftheoldones；theirburrowsareequalindiametertomylittlefinger。Rubbishquitefresh-spreadaroundthepitbearswitnesstotherecentdateoftheexcavations。

Relegatedtotheirwirecages，theseyoungLycosaebehavedifferentlyaccordingasthesoilplacedattheirdisposalisorisnotalreadyprovidedwithaburrowmadebyme。Aburrowishardlytheword:Igivethembutthenucleusofashaft，aboutaninchdeep，tolurethemon。Wheninpossessionofthisrudimentarylair，theSpiderdoesnothesitatetopursuetheworkwhichIhaveinterruptedinthefields。Atnight，shedigswithawill。Icanseethisbytheheapofrubbishflungaside。Sheatlastobtainsahousetosuither，ahousesurmountedbytheusualturret。

Theothers，onthecontrary，thoseSpidersforwhomthethrustofmypencilhasnotcontrivedanentrance-hallrepresenting，toacertainextent，thenaturalgallerywhenceIdislodgedthem，absolutelyrefusetowork；andtheydie，notwithstandingtheabundanceofprovisions。

Thefirstpursuetheseason’stask。TheywerediggingwhenI

caughtthem；and，carriedawaybytheenthusiasmoftheiractivity，theygoondigginginsidemycages。Takeninbymydecoy-shaft，theydeepentheimprintofthepencilasthoughtheyweredeepeningtheirrealvestibule。Theydonotbegintheirlaboursoveragain；

theycontinuethem。

Thesecond，nothavingthisinducement，thissemblanceofaburrowmistakenfortheirownwork，forsaketheideaofdiggingandallowthemselvestodie，becausetheywouldhavetotravelbackalongthechainofactionsandtoresumethepick-strokesofthestart。Tobeginalloveragainrequiresreflection，aqualitywherewiththeyarenotendowed。

Totheinsect——andwehaveseenthisinmanyearliercases——whatisdoneisdoneandcannotbetakenupagain。Thehandsofawatchdonotmovebackwards。Theinsectbehavesinmuchthesameway。Itsactivityurgesitinonedirection，everforwards，withoutallowingittoretraceitssteps，evenwhenanaccidentmakesthisnecessary。

WhattheMason-beesandtheotherstaughtuserewhiletheLycosanowconfirmsinhermanner。Incapableoftakingfreshpainstobuildherselfaseconddwelling，whenthefirstisdonefor，shewillgoonthetramp，shewillbreakintoaneighbour’shouse，shewillruntheriskofbeingeatenshouldshenotprovethestronger，butshewillneverthinkofmakingherselfahomebystartingafresh。

Whatastrangeintellectisthatoftheanimal，amixtureofmechanicalroutineandsubtlebrain-power！Doesitcontaingleamsthatcontrive，wishesthatpursueadefiniteobject？Followinginthewakeofsomanyothers，theLycosawarrantsusinentertainingadoubt。

CHAPTERV:THENARBONNELYCOSA:THEFAMILY

Forthreeweeksandmore，theLycosatrailsthebagofeggshangingtoherspinnerets。Thereaderwillremembertheexperimentsdescribedinthethirdchapterofthisvolume，particularlythosewiththecorkballandthethreadpelletwhichtheSpidersofoolishlyacceptsinexchangefortherealpill。Well，thisexceedinglydull-wittedmother，satisfiedwithaughtthatknocksagainstherheels，isabouttomakeuswonderatherdevotion。

Whethershecomeupfromhershafttoleanuponthekerbandbaskinthesun，whethershesuddenlyretireundergroundinthefaceofdanger，orwhethersheberoamingthecountrybeforesettlingdown，neverdoessheletgoherpreciousbag，thatverycumbrousburdeninwalking，climbingorleaping。If，bysomeaccident，itbecomedetachedfromthefasteningtowhichitishung，sheflingsherselfmadlyonhertreasureandlovinglyembracesit，readytobitewhosowouldtakeitfromher。Imyselfamsometimesthethief。Ithenhearthepointsofthepoison-fangsgrindingagainstthesteelofmypincers，whichtuginonedirectionwhiletheLycosatugsintheother。Butletusleavetheanimalalone:withaquicktouchofthespinnerets，thepillisrestoredtoitsplace；andtheSpiderstridesoff，stillmenacing。

Towardstheendofsummer，allthehouseholders，oldoryoung，whetherincaptivityonthewindow-silloratlibertyinthepathsoftheenclosure，supplymedailywiththefollowingimprovingsight。Inthemorning，assoonasthesunishotandbeatsupontheirburrow，theanchoritescomeupfromthebottomwiththeirbagandstationthemselvesattheopening。Longsiestasonthethresholdinthesunaretheorderofthedaythroughoutthefineseason；but，atthepresenttime，thepositionadoptedisadifferentone。Formerly，theLycosacameoutintothesunforherownsake。Leaningontheparapet，shehadthefronthalfofherbodyoutsidethepitandthehinderhalfinside。

Theeyestooktheirfilloflight；thebellyremainedinthedark。

Whencarryingheregg-bag，theSpiderreversestheposture:thefrontisinthepit，therearoutside。Withherhind-legssheholdsthewhitepillbulgingwithgermsliftedabovetheentrance；

gentlysheturnsandreturnsit，soastopresenteverysidetothelife-givingrays。Andthisgoesonforhalftheday，solongasthetemperatureishigh；anditisrepeateddaily，withexquisitepatience，duringthreeorfourweeks。Tohatchitseggs，thebirdcoversthemwiththequiltofitsbreast；itstrainsthemtothefurnaceofitsheart。TheLycosaturnshersinfrontofthehearthofhearths，shegivesthemthesunasanincubator。

IntheearlydaysofSeptember，theyoungones，whohavebeensometimehatched，arereadytocomeout。Thepillripsopenalongthemiddlefold。Wereadoftheoriginofthisfoldinanearlierchapter。{24}Doesthemother，feelingthebroodquickeninsidethesatinwrapper，herselfbreakopenthevesselattheopportunemoment？Itseemsprobable。Ontheotherhand，theremaybeaspontaneousbursting，suchasweshallseelaterintheBandedEpeira’sballoon，atoughwalletwhichopensabreachofitsownaccord，longafterthemotherhasceasedtoexist。

Thewholefamilyemergesfromthebagstraightway。Thenandthere，theyoungstersclimbtothemother’sback。Asfortheemptybag，nowaworthlessshred，itisflungoutoftheburrow；theLycosadoesnotgiveitafurtherthought。Huddledtogether，sometimesintwoorthreelayers，accordingtotheirnumber，thelittleonescoverthewholebackofthemother，who，forsevenoreightmonthstocome，willcarryherfamilynightandday。NowherecanwehopetoseeamoreedifyingdomesticpicturethanthatoftheLycosaclothedinheryoung。

Fromtimetotime，Imeetalittlebandofgipsiespassingalongthehigh-roadontheirwaytosomeneighbouringfair。Thenew-bornbabemewlsonthemother’sbreast，inahammockformedoutofakerchief。Thelast-weanediscarriedpick-a-back；athirdtoddlesclingingtoitsmother’sskirts；othersfollowclosely，thebiggestintherear，ferretingintheblackberry-ladenhedgerows。Itisamagnificentspectacleofhappy-go-luckyfruitfulness。Theygotheirway，pennilessandrejoicing。Thesunishotandtheearthisfertile。

ButhowthispicturepalesbeforethatoftheLycosa，thatincomparablegipsywhosebratsarenumberedbythehundred！Andoneandallofthem，fromSeptembertoApril，withoutamoment’srespite，findroomuponthepatientcreature’sback，wheretheyarecontenttoleadatranquillifeandtobecartedabout。

Thelittleonesareverygood；nonemoves，noneseeksaquarrelwithhisneighbours。Clingingtogether，theyformacontinuousdrapery，ashaggyulsterunderwhichthemotherbecomesunrecognizable。Isitananimal，afluffofwool，aclusterofsmallseedsfastenedtooneanother？’Tisimpossibletotellatthefirstglance。

Theequilibriumofthislivingblanketisnotsofirmbutthatfallsoftenoccur，especiallywhenthemotherclimbsfromindoorsandcomestothethresholdtoletthelittleonestakethesun。

Theleastbrushagainstthegalleryunseatsapartofthefamily。

Themishapisnotserious。TheHen，fidgetingaboutherChicks，looksforthestrays，callsthem，gathersthemtogether。TheLycosaknowsnotthesematernalalarms。Impassively，sheleavesthosewhodropofftomanagetheirowndifficulty，whichtheydowithwonderfulquickness。Commendmetothoseyoungstersforgettingupwithoutwhining，dustingthemselvesandresumingtheirseatinthesaddle！Theunhorsedonespromptlyfindalegofthemother，theusualclimbing-pole；theyswarmupitasfastastheycanandrecovertheirplacesonthebearer’sback。Thelivingbarkofanimalsisreconstructedinthetwinklingofaneye。

Tospeakhereofmother-lovewere，Ithink，extravagant。TheLycosa’saffectionforheroffspringhardlysurpassesthatoftheplant，whichisunacquaintedwithanytenderfeelingandneverthelessbestowsthenicestandmostdelicatecareuponitsseeds。Theanimal，inmanycases，knowsnoothersenseofmotherhood。WhatcarestheLycosaforherbrood！Sheacceptsanother’sasreadilyasherown；sheissatisfiedsolongasherbackisburdenedwithaswarmingcrowd，whetheritissuefromherovariesorelsewhence。Thereisnoquestionhereofrealmaternalaffection。

IhavedescribedelsewheretheprowessoftheCopris{25}watchingovercellsthatarenotherhandiworkanddonotcontainheroffspring。Withazealwhicheventheadditionallabourlaiduponherdoesnoteasilyweary，sheremovesthemildewfromthealiendung-balls，whichfarexceedtheregularnestsinnumber；shegentlyscrapesandpolishesandrepairsthem；shelistenstothemattentivelyandenquiresbyearintoeachnursling’sprogress。Herrealcollectioncouldnotreceivegreatercare。Herownfamilyoranother’s:itisallonetoher。

TheLycosaisequallyindifferent。Itakeahair-pencilandsweepthelivingburdenfromoneofmySpiders，makingitfallclosetoanothercoveredwithherlittleones。Theevictedyoungstersscamperabout，findthenewmother’slegsoutspread，nimblyclamberuptheseandmountonthebackoftheobligingcreature，whoquietlyletsthemhavetheirway。

Theyslipinamongtheothers，or，whenthelayeristoothick，pushtothefrontandpassfromtheabdomentothethoraxandeventothehead，thoughleavingtheregionoftheeyesuncovered。Itdoesnotdotoblindthebearer:thecommonsafetydemandsthat。

Theyknowthisandrespectthelensesoftheeyes，howeverpopuloustheassemblybe。Thewholeanimalisnowcoveredwithaswarmingcarpetofyoung，allexceptthelegs，whichmustpreservetheirfreedomofaction，andtheunderpartofthebody，wherecontactwiththegroundistobefeared。

MypencilforcesathirdfamilyuponthealreadyoverburdenedSpider；andthistooispeacefullyaccepted。Theyoungstershuddleupcloser，lieoneontopoftheotherinlayersandroomisfoundforall。TheLycosahaslostthelastsemblanceofananimal，hasbecomeanamelessbristlingthingthatwalksabout。Fallsarefrequentandarefollowedbycontinualclimbings。

IperceivethatIhavereachedthelimitsnotofthebearer’sgood-

will，butofequilibrium。TheSpiderwouldadoptanindefinitefurthernumberoffoundlings，ifthedimensionsofherbackaffordedthemafirmhold。Letusbecontentwiththis。Letusrestoreeachfamilytoitsmother，drawingatrandomfromthelot。

Theremustnecessarilybeinterchanges，butthatisofnoimportance:realchildrenandadoptedchildrenarethesamethingintheLycosa’seyes。

Onewouldliketoknowif，apartfrommyartifices，incircumstanceswhereIdonotinterfere，thegood-natureddry-nursesometimesburdensherselfwithasupplementaryfamily；itwouldalsobeinterestingtolearnwhatcomesofthisassociationoflawfuloffspringandstrangers。Ihaveamplematerialswherewithtoobtainananswertobothquestions。Ihavehousedinthesamecagetwoelderlymatronsladenwithyoungsters。Eachhasherhomeasfarremovedfromtheother’sasthesizeofthecommonpanpermits。Thedistanceisnineinchesormore。Itisnotenough。

Proximitysoonkindlesfiercejealousiesbetweenthoseintolerantcreatures，whoareobligedtolivefarapart，soastosecureadequatehunting-grounds。

Onemorning，Icatchthetwoharridansfightingouttheirquarrelonthefloor。Theloserislaidflatuponherback；thevictress，bellytobellywithheradversary，clutchesherwithherlegsandpreventsherfrommovingalimb。Bothhavetheirpoison-fangswideopen，readytobitewithoutyetdaring，somutuallyformidablearethey。Afteracertainperiodofwaiting，duringwhichthepairmerelyexchangethreats，thestrongerofthetwo，theoneontop，closesherlethalengineandgrindstheheadoftheprostratefoe。

Thenshecalmlydevoursthedeceasedbysmallmouthfuls。

Nowwhatdotheyoungstersdo，whiletheirmotherisbeingeaten？

Easilyconsoled，heedlessoftheatrociousscene，theyclimbontheconqueror’sbackandquietlytaketheirplacesamongthelawfulfamily。Theogressraisesnoobjection，acceptsthemasherown。