第3章

Shemakesamealoffthemotherandadoptstheorphans。

Letusaddthat，formanymonthsyet，untilthefinalemancipationcomes，shewillcarrythemwithoutdrawinganydistinctionbetweenthemandherownyoung。Henceforth，thetwofamilies，unitedinsotragicafashion，willformbutone。Weseehowgreatlyoutofplaceitwouldbetospeak，inthisconnection，ofmother-loveanditsfondmanifestations。

DoestheLycosaatleastfeedtheyounglingswho，forsevenmonths，swarmuponherback？Doessheinvitethemtothebanquetwhenshehassecuredaprize？Ithoughtsoatfirst；and，anxioustoassistatthefamilyrepast，Idevotedspecialattentiontowatchingthemotherseat。Asarule，thepreyisconsumedoutofsight，intheburrow；butsometimesalsoamealistakenonthethreshold，intheopenair。Besides，itiseasytoreartheLycosaandherfamilyinawire-gauzecage，withalayerofearthwhereinthecaptivewillneverdreamofsinkingawell，suchworkbeingoutofseason。

Everythingthenhappensintheopen。

Well，whilethemothermunches，chews，expressesthejuicesandswallows，theyoungstersdonotbudgefromtheircamping-groundonherback。Notonequitsitsplacenorgivesasignofwishingtoslipdownandjoininthemeal。Nordoesthemotherextendaninvitationtothemtocomeandrecruitthemselves，norputanybrokenvictualsasideforthem。Shefeedsandtheotherslookon，orratherremainindifferenttowhatishappening。TheirperfectquietduringtheLycosa’sfeastpointstotheposessionofastomachthatknowsnocravings。

Thenwithwhataretheysustained，duringtheirsevenmonths’

upbringingonthemother’sback？Oneconceivesanotionofexudationssuppliedbythebearer’sbody，inwhichcasetheyoungwouldfeedontheirmother，afterthemannerofparasiticvermin，andgraduallydrainherstrength。

Wemustabandonthisnotion。Neveraretheyseentoputtheirmouthstotheskinthatshouldbeasortofteattothem。Ontheotherhand，theLycosa，farfrombeingexhaustedandshrivelling，keepsperfectlywellandplump。Shehasthesamepot-bellywhenshefinishesrearingheryoungaswhenshebegan。Shehasnotlostweight:farfromit；onthecontrary，shehasputonflesh:shehasgainedthewherewithaltobegetanewfamilynextsummer，oneasnumerousasto-day’s。

Oncemore，withwhatdothelittleoneskeepuptheirstrength？Wedonotliketosuggestreservessuppliedbytheeggasrectifyingthebeastie’sexpenditureofvitalforce，especiallywhenweconsiderthatthosereserves，themselvessoclosetonothing，mustbeeconomizedinviewofthesilk，amaterialofthehighestimportance，ofwhichaplentifulusewillbemadepresently。Theremustbeotherpowersatplayinthetinyanimal’smachinery。

Totalabstinencefromfoodcouldbeunderstood，ifitwereaccompaniedbyinertia:immobilityisnotlife。ButtheyoungLycosae，althoughusuallyquietontheirmother’sback，areatalltimesreadyforexerciseandforagileswarming。Whentheyfallfromthematernalperambulator，theybrisklypickthemselvesup，brisklyscrambleupalegandmaketheirwaytothetop。Itisasplendidlynimbleandspiritedperformance。Besides，onceseated，theyhavetokeepafirmbalanceinthemass；theyhavetostretchandstiffentheirlittlelimbsinordertohangontotheirneighbours。Asamatteroffact，thereisnoabsoluterestforthem。Nowphysiologyteachesusthatnotafibreworkswithoutsomeexpenditureofenergy。Theanimal，whichcanbelikened，innosmallmeasure，toourindustrialmachines，demands，ontheonehand，therenovationofitsorganism，whichwearsoutwithmovement，and，ontheother，themaintenanceoftheheattransformedintoaction。Wecancompareitwiththelocomotive-

engine。Astheironhorseperformsitswork，itgraduallywearsoutitspistons，itsrods，itswheels，itsboiler-tubes，allofwhichhavetobemadegoodfromtimetotime。Thefounderandthesmithrepairit，supplyit，sotospeak，with’plasticfood，’thefoodthatbecomesembodiedwiththewholeandformspartofit。

But，thoughithavejustcomefromtheengine-shop，itisstillinert。Toacquirethepowerofmovement，itmustreceivefromthestokerasupplyof’energy-producingfood；’inotherwords，helightsafewshovelfulsofcoalinitsinside。Thisheatwillproducemechanicalwork。

Evensowiththebeast。Asnothingismadefromnothing，theeggsuppliesfirstthematerialsofthenew-bornanimal；thentheplasticfood，thesmithoflivingcreatures，increasesthebody，uptoacertainlimit，andrenewsitasitwearsaway。Thestokerworksatthesametime，withoutstopping。Fuel，thesourceofenergy，makesbutashortstayinthesystem，whereitisconsumedandfurnishesheat，whencemovementisderived。Lifeisafire-

box。Warmedbyitsfood，theanimalmachinemoves，walks，runs，jumps，swims，flies，setsitslocomotoryapparatusgoinginathousandmanners。

ToreturntotheyoungLycosae，theygrownolargeruntiltheperiodoftheiremancipation。IfindthemattheageofsevenmonthsthesameaswhenIsawthemattheirbirth。Theeggsuppliedthematerialsnecessaryfortheirtinyframes；and，asthelossofwastesubstanceis，forthemoment，excessivelysmall，orevennil，additionalplasticfoodisnotneededsolongasthebeastiedoesnotgrow。Inthisrespect，theprolongedabstinencepresentsnodifficulty。Butthereremainsthequestionofenergy-

producingfood，whichisindispensable，forthelittleLycosamoves，whennecessary，andveryactivelyatthat。Towhatshallweattributetheheatexpendeduponaction，whentheanimaltakesabsolutelynonourishment？

Anideasuggestsitself。Wesaytoourselvesthat，withoutbeinglife，amachineissomethingmorethanmatter，formanhasaddedalittleofhismindtoit。Nowtheironbeast，consumingitsrationofcoal，isreallybrowsingtheancientfoliageofarborescentfernsinwhichsolarenergyhasaccumulated。

Beastsoffleshandbloodactnootherwise。Whethertheymutuallydevouroneanotherorlevytributeontheplant，theyinvariablyquickenthemselveswiththestimulantofthesun’sheat，aheatstoredingrass，fruit，seedandthosewhichfeedonsuch。Thesun，thesouloftheuniverse，isthesupremedispenserofenergy。

Insteadofbeingservedupthroughtheintermediaryoffoodandpassingthroughtheignominiouscircuitofgastricchemistry，couldnotthissolarenergypenetratetheanimaldirectlyandchargeitwithactivity，evenasthebatterychargesanaccumulatorwithpower？Whynotliveonsun，seeingthat，afterall，wefindnaughtbutsuninthefruitswhichweconsume？

Chemicalscience，thatboldrevolutionary，promisestoprovideuswithsyntheticfood-stuffs。Thelaboratoryandthefactorywilltaketheplaceofthefarm。Whyshouldnotphysicalsciencestepinaswell？Itwouldleavethepreparationofplasticfoodtothechemist’sretorts；itwouldreserveforitselfthatofenergy-

producingfood，which，reducedtoitsexactterms，ceasestobematter。Withtheaidofsomeingeniousapparatus，itwouldpumpintousourdailyrationofsolarenergy，tobelaterexpendedinmovement，wherebythemachinewouldbekeptgoingwithouttheoftenpainfulassistanceofthestomachanditsadjuncts。Whatadelightfulworld，whereonewouldlunchoffarayofsunshine！

Isitadream，ortheanticipationofaremotereality？Theproblemisoneofthemostimportantthatsciencecansetus。LetusfirstheartheevidenceoftheyoungLycosaeregardingitspossibilities。

Forsevenmonths，withoutanymaterialnourishment，theyexpendstrengthinmoving。Towindupthemechanismoftheirmuscles，theyrecruitthemselvesdirectwithheatandlight。Duringthetimewhenshewasdraggingthebagofeggsbehindher，themother，atthebestmomentsoftheday，cameandheldupherpilltothesun。Withhertwohind-legs，shelifteditoutoftheground，intothefulllight；slowlysheturneditandreturnedit，sothateverysidemightreceiveitsshareofthevivifyingrays。Well，thisbathoflife，whichawakenedthegerms，isnowprolongedtokeepthetenderbabesactive。

Daily，iftheskybeclear，theLycosa，carryingheryoung，comesupfromtheburrow，leansonthekerbandspendslonghoursbaskinginthesun。Here，ontheirmother’sback，theyoungstersstretchtheirlimbsdelightedly，saturatethemselveswithheat，takeinreservesofmotorpower，absorbenergy。

Theyaremotionless；but，ifIonlyblowuponthem，theystampedeasnimblyasthoughahurricanewerepassing。Hurriedly，theydisperse；hurriedly，theyreassemble:aproofthat，withoutmaterialnourishment，thelittleanimalmachineisalwaysatfullpressure，readytowork。Whentheshadecomes，motherandsonsgodownagain，surfeitedwithsolaremanations。ThefeastofenergyattheSunTavernisfinishedfortheday。Itisrepeatedinthesamewaydaily，iftheweatherbemild，untilthehourofemancipationcomes，followedbythefirstmouthfulsofsolidfood。

CHAPTERVI:THENARBONNELYCOSA:THECLIMBING-INSTINCT

ThemonthofMarchcomestoanend；andthedepartureoftheyoungstersbegins，ingloriousweather，duringthehottesthoursofthemorning。Ladenwithherswarmingburden，themotherLycosaisoutsideherburrow，squattingontheparapetattheentrance。Sheletsthemdoastheyplease；asthoughindifferenttowhatishappening，sheexhibitsneitherencouragementnorregret。Whosowillgoes；whosowillremainsbehind。

Firstthese，thenthose，accordingastheyfeelthemselvesdulysoakedwithsunshine，thelittleonesleavethemotherinbatches，runaboutforamomentonthegroundandthenquicklyreachthetrellis-workofthecage，whichtheyclimbwithsurprisingalacrity。Theypassthroughthemeshes，theyclamberrighttothetopofthecitadel。All，withnotoneexception，makefortheheights，insteadofroamingontheground，asmightreasonablybeexpectedfromtheeminentlyearthlyhabitsoftheLycosae；allascendthedome，astrangeprocedurewhereofIdonotyetguesstheobject。

Ireceiveahintfromtheuprightringthatfinishesthetopofthecage。Theyoungstershurrytoit。Itrepresentstheporchoftheirgymnasium。Theyhangoutthreadsacrosstheopening；theystretchothersfromtheringtothenearestpointsofthetrellis-

work。Onthesefoot-bridges，theyperformslack-ropeexercisesamidendlesscomingsandgoings。Thetinylegsopenoutfromtimetotimeandstraddleasthoughtoreachthemostdistantpoints。I

begintorealizethattheyareacrobatsaimingatloftierheightsthanthoseofthedome。

Itopthetrelliswithabranchthatdoublestheattainableheight。

Thebustlingcrowdhastilyscramblesupit，reachesthetipofthetopmosttwigsandthencesendsoutthreadsthatattachthemselvestoeverysurroundingobject。Theseformsomanysuspension-

bridges；andmybeastiesnimblyrunalongthem，incessantlypassingtoandfro。Onewouldsaythattheywishedtoclimbhigherstill。

Iwillendeavourtosatisfytheirdesires。

Itakeanine-footreed，withtinybranchesspreadingrightuptothetop，andplaceitabovethecage。ThelittleLycosaeclambertotheverysummit。Here，longerthreadsareproducedfromtherope-yardandarenowlefttofloat，anonconvertedintobridgesbythemerecontactofthefreeendwiththeneighbouringsupports。

Therope-dancersembarkuponthemandformgarlandswhichtheleastbreathofairswingsdaintily。Thethreadisinvisiblewhenitdoesnotcomebetweentheeyesandthesun；andthewholesuggestsrowsofGnatsdancinganaerialballet。

Then，suddenly，teasedbytheair-currents，thedelicatemooringbreaksandfliesthroughspace。Beholdtheemigrantsoffandaway，clingingtotheirthread。Ifthewindbefavourable，theycanlandatgreatdistances。Theirdepartureisthuscontinuedforaweekortwo，inbandsmoreorlessnumerous，accordingtothetemperatureandthebrightnessoftheday。Iftheskybeovercast，nonedreamsofleaving。Thetravellersneedthekissesofthesun，whichgiveenergyandvigour。

Atlast，thewholefamilyhasdisappeared，carriedafarbyitsflying-ropes。Themotherremainsalone。Thelossofheroffspringhardlyseemstodistressher。Sheretainsherusualcolourandplumpness，whichisasignthatthematernalexertionshavenotbeentoomuchforher。

Ialsonoticeanincreasedfervourinthechase。Whileburdenedwithherfamily，shewasremarkablyabstemious，acceptingonlywithgreatreservethegameplacedatherdisposal。Thecoldnessoftheseasonmayhavemilitatedagainstcopiousrefections；perhapsalsotheweightofthelittleoneshamperedhermovementsandmadehermorediscreetinattackingtheprey。

To-day，cheeredbythefineweatherandabletomovefreely，shehurriesupfromherlaireachtimeIsetatit-bittoherlikingbuzzingattheentrancetoherburrow；shecomesandtakesfrommyfingersthesavouryLocust，theportlyAnoxia；{26}andthisperformanceisrepeateddaily，wheneverIhavetheleisuretodevotetoit。Afterafrugalwinter，thetimehascomeforplentifulrepasts。

Thisappetitetellsusthattheanimalisnotatthepointofdeath；onedoesnotfeastinthiswaywithaplayed-outstomach。

Myboardersareenteringinfullvigourupontheirfourthyear。Inthewinter，inthefields，Iusedtofindlargemothers，cartingtheiryoung，andothersnotmuchmorethanhalftheirsize。Thewholeseries，therefore，representedthreegenerations。Andnow，inmyearthenwarepans，afterthedepartureofthefamily，theoldmatronsstillcarryonandcontinueasstrongasever。Everyoutwardappearancetellsusthat，afterbecominggreat-

grandmothers，theystillkeepthemselvesfitforpropagatingtheirspecies。

Thefactscorrespondwiththeseanticipations。WhenSeptemberreturns，mycaptivesaredraggingabagasbulkyasthatoflastyear。Foralongtime，evenwhentheeggsoftheothershavebeenhatchedforsomeweekspast，themotherscomedailytothethresholdoftheburrowandholdouttheirwalletsforincubationbythesun。Theirperseveranceisnotrewarded:nothingissuesfromthesatinpurse；nothingstirswithin。Why？Because，intheprisonofmycages，theeggshavehadnofather。Tiredofwaitingandatlastrecognizingthebarrennessoftheirproduce，theypushthebagofeggsoutsidetheburrowandtroubleaboutitnomore。

Atthereturnofspring，bywhichtimethefamily，ifdevelopedaccordingtorule，wouldhavebeenemancipated，theydie。ThemightySpiderofthewaste-lands，therefore，attainstoanevenmorepatriarchalagethanherneighbourtheSacredBeetle:{27}

shelivesforfiveyearsattheveryleast。

Letusleavethemotherstotheirbusinessandreturntotheyoungsters。ItisnotwithoutacertainsurprisethatweseethelittleLycosae，atthefirstmomentoftheiremancipation，hastentoascendtheheights。Destinedtoliveontheground，amidsttheshortgrass，andafterwardstosettleinthepermanentabode，apit，theystartbybeingenthusiasticacrobats。Beforedescendingtothelowlevels，theirnormaldwelling-place，theyaffectloftyaltitudes。

Torisehigherandeverhigheristheirfirstneed。Ihavenot，itseems，exhaustedthelimitoftheirclimbing-instinctevenwithanine-footpole，suitablyfurnishedwithbranchestofacilitatetheescalade。Thosewhohaveeagerlyreachedtheverytopwavetheirlegs，fumbleinspaceasthoughforyethigherstalks。Itbehovesustobeginagainandunderbetterconditions。

AlthoughtheNarbonneLycosa，withhertemporaryyearningfortheheights，ismoreinterestingthanotherSpiders，byreasonofthefactthatherusualhabitationisunderground，sheisnotsostrikingatswarming-time，becausetheyoungsters，insteadofallmigratingatonce，leavethemotheratdifferentperiodsandinsmallbatches。ThesightwillbeafineronewiththecommonGardenorCrossSpider，theDiademEpeira(Epeiradiadema，LIN。)，decoratedwiththreewhitecrossesonherback。

ShelayshereggsinNovemberanddieswiththefirstcoldsnap。

SheisdeniedtheLycosa’slongevity。Sheleavesthenatalwalletearlyonespringandneverseesthefollowingspring。Thiswallet，whichcontainstheeggs，hasnoneoftheingeniousstructurewhichweadmiredintheBandedandintheSilkyEpeira。Nolongerdoweseeagracefulballoon-shapenoryetaparaboloidwithastarrybase；nolongeratough，waterproofsatinstuff；nolongeraswan’s-downresemblingafleecy，russetcloud；nolongeraninnerkeginwhichtheeggsarepacked。Theartofstoutfabricsandofwallswithinwallsisunknownhere。

TheworkoftheCrossSpiderisapillofwhitesilk，wroughtintoayieldingfelt，throughwhichthenew-bornSpiderswilleasilyworktheirway，withouttheaidofthemother，longsincedead，andwithouthavingtorelyuponitsburstingatthegivenhour。Itisaboutthesizeofadamson。

Wecanjudgethemethodofmanufacturefromthestructure。LiketheLycosa，whomwesaw，inChapterIII。，atworkinoneofmyearthenwarepans，theCrossSpider，onthesupportsuppliedbyafewthreadsstretchedbetweenthenearestobjects，beginsbymakingashallowsaucerofsufficientthicknesstodispensewithsubsequentcorrections。Theprocessiseasilyguessed。Thetipoftheabdomengoesupanddown，downandupwithanevenbeat，whiletheworkershiftsherplacealittle。Eachtime，thespinneretsaddabitofthreadtothecarpetalreadymade。

Whentherequisitethicknessisobtained，themotheremptiesherovaries，inonecontinuousflow，intothecentreofthebowl。

Gluedtogetherbytheirinherentmoisture，theeggs，ofahandsomeorange-yellow，formaball-shapedheap。Theworkofthespinneretsisresumed。Theballofgermsiscoveredwithasilkcap，fashionedinthesamewayasthesaucer。Thetwohalvesoftheworkaresowelljoinedthatthewholeconstitutesanunbrokensphere。

TheBandedEpeiraandtheSilkyEpeira，thoseexpertsinthemanufactureofrainprooftextures，laytheireggshighup，onbrushwoodandbramble，withoutshelterofanykind。Thethickmaterialofthewalletsisenoughtoprotecttheeggsfromtheinclemenciesofthewinter，especiallyfromdamp。TheDiademEpeira，orCrossSpider，needsacrannyforhers，whichiscontainedinanon-waterprooffelt。Inaheapofstones，wellexposedtothesun，shewillchoosealargeslabtoserveasaroof。Shelodgesherpillunderneathit，inthecompanyofthehibernatingSnail。

Moreoftenstill，sheprefersthethicktangleofsomedwarfshrub，standingeightornineincheshighandretainingitsleavesinwinter。Intheabsenceofanythingbetter，atuftofgrassanswersthepurpose。Whateverthehiding-place，thebagofeggsisalwaysneartheground，tuckedawayaswellasmaybe，amidthesurroundingtwigs。

Saveinthecaseoftheroofsuppliedbyalargestone，weseethatthesiteselectedhardlysatisfiesproperhygienicneeds。TheEpeiraseemstorealizethisfact。Bywayofanadditionalprotection，evenunderastone，sheneverfailstomakeathatchedroofforhereggs。Shebuildsthemacoveringwithbitsoffine，drygrass，joinedtogetherwithalittlesilk。Theabodeoftheeggsbecomesastrawwigwam。

GoodluckprocuresmetwoCrossSpiders’nests，ontheedgeofoneofthepathsintheenclosure，amongsometuftsofground-cypress，orlavender-cotton。ThisisjustwhatIwantedformyplans。Thefindisallthemorevaluableastheperiodoftheexodusisnearathand。

Ipreparetwolengthsofbamboo，standingaboutfifteenfeethighandclusteredwithlittletwigsfromtoptobottom。Iplantoneofthemstraightupinthetuft，besidethefirstnest。Iclearthesurroundingground，becausethebushyvegetationmighteasily，thankstothreadscarriedbythewind，diverttheemigrantsfromtheroadwhichIhavelaidoutforthem。TheotherbambooIsetupinthemiddleoftheyard，allbyitself，somefewstepsfromanyoutstandingobject。Thesecondnestisremovedasitis，shrubandall，andplacedatthebottomofthetall，raggeddistaff。

Theeventsexpectedarenotlongincoming。InthefirstfortnightinMay，alittleearlierinonecase，alittlelaterintheother，thetwofamilies，eachpresentedwithabambooclimbing-pole，leavetheirrespectivewallets。Thereisnothingremarkableaboutthemodeofegress。Theprecinctstobecrossedconsistofaveryslacknet-work，throughwhichtheoutcomerswriggle:weaklittleorange-yellowbeasties，withatriangularblackpatchupontheirsterns。Onemorningislongenoughforthewholefamilytomakeitsappearance。

Bydegrees，theemancipatedyoungstersclimbthenearesttwigs，clambertothetop，andspreadafewthreads。Soon，theygatherinacompact，ball-shapedcluster，thesizeofawalnut。Theyremainmotionless。Withtheirheadsplungedintotheheapandtheirsternsprojecting，theydozegently，mellowingunderthekissesofthesun。Richinthepossessionofathreadintheirbellyastheirsoleinheritance，theypreparetodisperseoverthewideworld。

Letuscreateadisturbanceamongtheglobulargroupbystirringitwithastraw。Allwakeupatonce。Theclustersoftlydilatesandspreads，asthoughsetinmotionbysomecentrifugalforce；itbecomesatransparentorbwhereinthousandsandthousandsoftinylegsquiverandshake，whilethreadsareextendedalongthewaytobefollowed。Thewholeworkresolvesitselfintoadelicateveilwhichswallowsupthescatteredfamily。Wethenseeanexquisitenebulaagainstwhoseopalescenttapestrythetinyanimalsgleamliketwinklingorangestars。

Thisstragglingstate，thoughitlastforhours，isbuttemporary。

Iftheairgrowcooler，ifrainthreaten，thesphericalgroupreformsatonce。Thisisaprotectivemeasure。Onthemorningafterashower，Ifindthefamiliesoneitherbambooinasgoodconditionasonthedaybefore。Thesilkveilandthepillformationhaveshelteredthemwellenoughfromthedownpour。EvensodoSheep，whencaughtinastorminthepastures，gatherclose，huddletogetherandmakeacommonrampartoftheirbacks。

Theassemblyintoaball-shapedmassisalsotheruleincalm，brightweather，afterthemorning’sexertions。Intheafternoon，theclimberscollectatahigherpoint，wheretheyweaveawide，conicaltent，withtheendofashootforitstop，and，gatheredintoacompactgroup，spendthenightthere。Nextday，whentheheatreturns，theascentisresumedinlongfiles，followingtheshroudswhichafewpioneershaveriggedandwhichthosewhocomeafterelaboratewiththeirownwork。

Collectednightlyintoaglobulartroopandshelteredunderafreshtent，forthreeorfourdays，eachmorning，beforethesungrowstoohot，mylittleemigrantsthusraisethemselves，stagebystage，onbothbamboos，untiltheyreachthesun-unit，atfifteenfeetabovetheground。Theclimbcomestoanendforlackoffoothold。

Undernormalconditions，theascentwouldbeshorter。TheyoungSpidershaveattheirdisposalthebushes，thebrushwood，providingsupportsoneverysideforthethreadswaftedhitherandthitherbytheeddyingair-currents。Withtheserope-bridgesflungacrossspace，thedispersalpresentsnodifficulties。Eachemigrantleavesathisowngoodtimeandtravelsassuitshimbest。

Mydeviceshavechangedtheseconditionssomewhat。Mytwobristlingpolesstandatadistancefromthesurroundingshrubs，especiallytheonewhichIplantedinthemiddleoftheyard。

Bridgesareoutofthequestion，forthethreadsflungintotheairarenotlongenough。Andsotheacrobats，eagertogetaway，keeponclimbing，nevercomedownagain，areimpelledtoseekinahigherpositionwhattheyhavefailedtofindinalower。Thetopofmytwobamboosprobablyfailstorepresentthelimitofwhatmykeenclimbersarecapableofachieving。

Weshallsee，inamoment，theobjectofthisclimbing-propensity，whichisasufficientlyremarkableinstinctintheGardenSpiders，whohaveastheirdomainthelow-growingbrushwoodwhereintheirnetsarespread；itbecomesastillmoreremarkableinstinctintheLycosa，who，exceptatthemomentwhensheleaveshermother’sback，neverquitsthegroundandyet，intheearlyhoursofherlife，showsherselfasardentawooerofhighplacesastheyoungGardenSpiders。

LetusconsidertheLycosainparticular。Inher，atthemomentoftheexodus，asuddeninstinctarises，todisappear，aspromptlyandforever，afewhourslater。Thisistheclimbing-instinct，whichisunknowntotheadultandsoonforgottenbytheemancipatedyoungling，doomedtowanderhomeless，formanyalongday，upontheground。Neitherofthemdreamsofclimbingtothetopofagrass-

stalk。Thefull-grownSpiderhuntstrapper-fashion，ambushedinhertower；theyoungonehuntsafootthroughthescrubbygrass。Inbothcasesthereisnowebandthereforenoneedforloftycontact-

points。Theyarenotallowedtoquitthegroundandclimbtheheights。

YetherewehavetheyoungLycosa，wishingtoleavethematernalabodeandtotravelfarafieldbytheeasiestandswiftestmethods，suddenlybecominganenthusiasticclimber。Impetuouslyshescalesthewiretrellisofthecagewhereshewasborn；hurriedlysheclamberstothetopofthetallmastwhichIhavepreparedforher。

Inthesameway，shewouldmakeforthesummitofthebushesinherwaste-land。

Wecatchaglimpseofherobject。Fromonhigh，findingawidespacebeneathher，shesendsathreadfloating。Itiscaughtbythewindandcarriesherhangingtoit。Wehaveouraeroplanes；

shetoopossessesherflying-machine。Oncethejourneyisaccomplished，naughtremainsofthisingeniousbusiness。Theclimbing-instinctconiessuddenly，atthehourofneed，andnolesssuddenlyvanishes。

CHAPTERVII:THESPIDERS’EXODUS

Seeds，whenripenedinthefruit，aredisseminated，thatistosay，scatteredonthesurfaceoftheground，tosproutinspotsasyetunoccupiedandfilltheexpansesthatrealizefavourableconditions。

Amidthewaysiderubbishgrowsoneofthegourdfamily，Ecbaliumelaterium，commonlycalledthesquirtingcucumber，whosefruit——aroughandextremelybitterlittlecucumber——isthesizeofadate。

Whenripe，thefleshycoreresolvesintoaliquidinwhichfloattheseeds。Compressedbytheelasticrindofthefruit，thisliquidbearsuponthebaseofthefootstalk，whichisgraduallyforcedout，yieldslikeastopper，breaksoffandleavesanorificethroughwhichastreamofseedsandfluidpulpissuddenlyejected。

If，withanovicehand，underascorchingsun，youshaketheplantladenwithyellowfruit，youareboundtobesomewhatstartledwhenyouhearanoiseamongtheleavesandreceivethecucumber’sgrapeshotinyourface。

Thefruitofthegardenbalsam，whenripe，splits，attheleasttouch，intofivefleshyvalves，whichcurlupandshoottheirseedstoadistance。ThebotanicalnameofImpatiensgiventothebalsamalludestothissuddendehiscenceofthecapsules，whichcannotendurecontactwithoutbursting。

Inthedampandshadyplacesofthewoodsthereexistsaplantofthesamefamilywhich，forsimilarreasons，bearstheevenmoreexpressivenameofImpatiensnoli-me-tangere，ortouch-me-not。

Thecapsuleofthepansyexpandsintothreevalves，eachscoopedoutlikeaboatandladeninthemiddlewithtworowsofseeds。

Whenthesevalvesdry，theedgesshrivel，pressuponthegrainsandejectthem。

Lightseeds，especiallythoseoftheorderofCompositae，haveaeronauticapparatus——tufts，plumes，fly-wheels——whichkeepthemupintheairandenablethemtotakedistantvoyages。Inthisway，attheleastbreath，theseedsofthedandelion，surmountedbyatuftoffeathers，flyfromtheirdryreceptacleandwaftgentlyintheair。

Nexttothetuft，thewingisthemostsatisfactorycontrivancefordisseminationbywind。Thankstotheirmembranousedge，whichgivesthemtheappearanceofthinscales，theseedsoftheyellowwall-flowerreachhighcornicesofbuildings，cleftsofinaccessiblerocks，cranniesinoldwalls，andsproutintheremnantofmouldbequeathedbythemossesthatweretherebeforethem。

Thesamaras，orkeys，oftheelm，formedofabroad，lightfanwiththeseedcasedinitscentre；thoseofthemaple，joinedinpairsandresemblingtheunfurledwingsofabird；thoseoftheash，carvedlikethebladeofanoar，performthemostdistantjourneyswhendrivenbeforethestorm。

Liketheplant，theinsectalsosometimespossessestravelling-

apparatus，meansofdisseminationthatallowlargefamiliestodispersequicklyoverthecountry，sothateachmembermayhavehisplaceinthesunwithoutinjuringhisneighbour；andtheseapparatus，thesemethodsvieiningenuitywiththeelm’ssamara，thedandelion-plumeandthecatapultofthesquirtingcucumber。

Letusconsider，inparticular，theEpeirae，thosemagnificentSpiderswho，tocatchtheirprey，stretch，betweenonebushandthenext，greatverticalsheetsofmeshes，resemblingthoseofthefowler。ThemostremarkableinmydistrictistheBandedEpeira(Epeirafasciata，WALCK。)，soprettilybeltedwithyellow，blackandsilverywhite。Hernest，amarvelofgracefulness，isasatinbag，shapedlikeatinypear。Itsneckendsinaconcavemouthpiececlosedwithalid，alsoofsatin。Brownribbons，infancifulmeridianwaves，adorntheobjectfrompoletopole。

Openthenest。Wehaveseen，inanearlierchapter，{28}whatwefindthere；letusretellthestory。Undertheouterwrapper，whichisasstoutasourwovenstuffsand，moreover，perfectlywaterproof，isarusseteiderdownofexquisitedelicacy，asilkyfluffresemblingdrivensmoke。Nowheredoesmother-loveprepareasofterbed。

Inthemiddleofthisdownymasshangsafine，silk，thimble-shapedpurse，closedwithamovablelid。Thiscontainstheeggs，ofaprettyorange-yellowandaboutfivehundredinnumber。

Allthingsconsidered，isnotthischarmingedificeananimalfruit，agerm-casket，acapsuletobecomparedwiththatoftheplants？Only，theEpeira’swallet，insteadofseeds，holdseggs。

Thedifferenceismoreapparentthanreal，foreggandgrainareone。

Howwillthislivingfruit，ripeningintheheatbelovedoftheCicadae，managetoburst？How，aboveall，willdisseminationtakeplace？Theyarethereintheirhundreds。Theymustseparate，gofaraway，isolatethemselvesinaspotwherethereisnottoomuchfearofcompetitionamongneighbours。Howwilltheysettoworktoachievethisdistantexodus，weaklingsthattheyare，takingsuchverytinysteps？

IreceivethefirstanswerfromanotherandmuchearlierEpeira，whosefamilyIfind，atthebeginningofMay，onayuccaintheenclosure。Theplantblossomedlastyear。Thebranchingflower-

stem，somethreefeethigh，stillstandserect，thoughwithered。

Onthegreenleaves，shapedlikeasword-blade，swarmtwonewly-

hatchedfamilies。Theweebeastiesareadullyellow，withatriangularblackpatchupontheirstern。Lateron，threewhitecrosses，ornamentingtheback，willtellmethatmyfindcorrespondswiththeCrossorDiademSpider(Epeiradiadema，WALCK。)。

Whenthesunreachesthispartoftheenclosure，oneofthetwogroupsfallsintoagreatstateofflutter。Nimbleacrobatsthattheyare，thelittleSpidersscrambleup，oneaftertheother，andreachthetopofthestem。Here，marchesandcountermarches，tumultandconfusionreign，forthereisaslightbreezewhichthrowsthetroopintodisorder。Iseenoconnectedmanoeuvres。

Fromthetopofthestalktheysetoutateverymoment，onebyone；

theydartoffsuddenly；theyflyaway，sotospeak。ItisasthoughtheyhadthewingsofaGnat。

Forthwiththeydisappearfromview。Nothingthatmyeyescanseeexplainsthisstrangeflight；forpreciseobservationisimpossibleamidthedisturbinginfluencesoutofdoors。Whatiswantedisapeacefulatmosphereandthequietofmystudy。

Igatherthefamilyinalargebox，whichIcloseatonce，andinstalitintheanimals’laboratory，onasmalltable，twostepsfromtheopenwindow。ApprisedbywhatIhavejustseenoftheirpropensitytoresorttotheheights，Igivemysubjectsabundleoftwigs，eighteeninchestall，asaclimbing-pole。Thewholebandhurriedlyclambersupandreachesthetop。Inafewmomentsthereisnotonelackinginthegrouponhigh。Thefuturewilltellusthereasonofthisassemblageontheprojectingtipsofthetwigs。

ThelittleSpidersarenowspinninghereandthereatrandom:theygoup，godown，comeupagain。Thusiswovenalightveilofdivergentthreads，amany-corneredwebwiththeendofthebranchforitssummitandtheedgeofthetableforitsbase，someeighteenincheswide。Thisveilisthedrill-ground，thework-yardwherethepreparationsfordeparturearemade。

Herehastenthehumblelittlecreatures，runningindefatigablytoandfro。Whenthesunshinesuponthem，theybecomegleamingspecksandformuponthemilkybackgroundoftheveilasortofconstellation，areflexofthoseremotepointsintheskywherethetelescopeshowsusendlessgalaxiesofstars。Theimmeasurablysmallandtheimmeasurablylargearealikeinappearance。Itisallamatterofdistance。

Butthelivingnebulaisnotcomposedoffixedstars；onthecontrary，itsspecksareincontinualmovement。TheyoungSpidersneverceaseshiftingtheirpositionontheweb。Manyletthemselvesdrop，hangingbyalengthofthread，whichthefaller’sweightdrawsfromthespinnerets。Thenquicklytheyclimbupagainbythesamethread，whichtheywindgraduallyintoaskeinandlengthenbysuccessivefalls。Othersconfinethemselvestorunningaboutthewebandalsogivemetheimpressionofworkingatabundleofropes。

Thethread，asamatteroffact，doesnotflowfromthespinneret；

itisdrawnthencewithacertaineffort。Itisacaseofextraction，notemission。Toobtainherslendercord，theSpiderhastomoveaboutandhaul，eitherbyfallingorbywalking，evenastherope-makerstepsbackwardswhenworkinghishemp。Theactivitynowdisplayedonthedrill-groundisapreparationfortheapproachingdispersal。Thetravellersarepackingup。

SoonweseeafewSpiderstrottingbrisklybetweenthetableandtheopenwindow。Theyarerunninginmid-air。Butonwhat？Ifthelightfallfavourably，Imanagetosee，atmoments，behindthetinyanimal，athreadresemblingarayoflight，whichappearsforaninstant，gleamsanddisappears。Behind，therefore，thereisamooring，onlyjustperceptible，ifyoulookverycarefully；but，infront，towardsthewindow，thereisnothingtobeseenatall。

InvainIexamineabove，below，attheside；invainIvarythedirectionoftheeye:Icandistinguishnosupportforthelittlecreaturetowalkupon。Onewouldthinkthatthebeastiewerepaddlinginspace。Itsuggeststheideaofasmallbird，tiedbythelegwithathreadandmakingaflyingrushforwards。

But，inthiscase，appearancesaredeceptive:flightisimpossible；theSpidermustnecessarilyhaveabridgewherebytocrosstheinterveningspace。Thisbridge，whichIcannotsee，I

canatleastdestroy。IcleavetheairwitharulerinfrontoftheSpidermakingforthewindow。Thatisquiteenough:thetinyanimalatonceceasestogoforwardandfalls。Theinvisiblefoot-

plankisbroken。Myson，youngPaul，whoishelpingme，isastoundedatthiswaveofthemagicwand，fornotevenhe，withhisfresh，youngeyes，isabletoseeasupportaheadfortheSpiderlingtomovealong。

Intherear，ontheotherhand，athreadisvisible。Thedifferenceiseasilyexplained。EverySpider，asshegoes，atthesametimespinsasafety-cordwhichwillguardtherope-walkeragainsttheriskofanalwayspossiblefall。Intherear，therefore，thethreadisofdoublethicknessandcanbeseen，whereas，infront，itisstillsingleandhardlyperceptibletotheeye。

Obviously，thisinvisiblefoot-bridgeisnotflungoutbytheanimal:itiscarriedandunrolledbyagustofair。TheEpeira，suppliedwiththisline，letsitfloatfreely；andthewind，howeversoftlyblowing，bearsitalongandunwindsit。Evensoisthesmokefromthebowlofapipewhirledupintheair。

Thisfloatingthreadhasbuttotouchanyobjectintheneighbourhoodanditwillremainfixedtoit。Thesuspension-

bridgeisthrown；andtheSpidercansetout。TheSouth-AmericanIndiansaresaidtocrosstheabyssesoftheCordillerasintravelling-cradlesmadeoftwistedcreepers；thelittleSpiderpassesthroughspaceontheinvisibleandtheimponderable。

Buttocarrytheendofthefloatingthreadelsewhitheradraughtisneeded。Atthismoment，thedraughtexistsbetweenthedoorofmystudyandthewindow，bothofwhichareopen。ItissoslightthatIdonotfeelits；Ionlyknowofitbythesmokefrommypipe，curlingsoftlyinthatdirection。Coldairentersfromwithoutthroughthedoor；warmairescapesfromtheroomthroughthewindow。ThisisthedroughtthatcarriesthethreadswithitandenablestheSpiderstoembarkupontheirjourney。

IgetridofitbyclosingbothaperturesandIbreakoffanycommunicationbypassingmyrulerbetweenthewindowandthetable。

Henceforth，inthemotionlessatmosphere，therearenodepartures。

Thecurrentofairismissing，theskeinsarenotunwoundandmigrationbecomesimpossible。

Itissoonresumed，butinadirectionwhereofIneverdreamt。Thehotsunisbeatingonacertainpartofthefloor。Atthisspot，whichiswarmerthantherest，acolumnoflighter，ascendingairisgenerated。Ifthiscolumncatchthethreads，mySpidersoughttorisetotheceilingoftheroom。

Thecuriousascentdoes，infact，takeplace。Unfortunately，mytroop，whichhasbeengreatlyreducedbythenumberofdeparturesthroughthewindow，doesnotlenditselftoprolongedexperiment。

Wemustbeginagain。

Thenextmorning，onthesameyucca，Igatherthesecondfamily，asnumerousasthefirst。Yesterday’spreparationsarerepeated。MylegionofSpidersfirstweavesadivergentframeworkbetweenthetopofthebrushwoodplacedattheemigrants’disposalandtheedgeofthetable。Fiveorsixhundredweebeastiesswarmalloverthiswork-yard。

Whilethislittleworldisbusilyfussing，makingitsarrangementsfordeparture，Imakemyown。Everyapertureintheroomisclosed，soastoobtainascalmanatmosphereaspossible。Asmallchafing-dishislitatthefootofthetable。MyhandscannotfeeltheheatofitatthelevelofthewebwhereonmySpidersareweaving。Thisistheverymodestfirewhich，withitscolumnofrisingair，shallunwindthethreadsandcarrythemonhigh。

Letusfirstenquirethedirectionandstrengthofthecurrent。

Dandelion-plumes，madelighterbytheremovaloftheirseeds，serveasmyguides。Releasedabovethechafing-dish，onthelevelofthetable，theyfloatslowlyupwardsand，forthemostpart，reachtheceiling。Theemigrants’linesshouldriseinthesamewayandevenbetter。

Thethingisdone:withtheaidofnothingthatisvisibletothethreeofuslookingon，aSpidermakesherascent。Sheambleswithhereightlegsthroughtheair；shemounts，gentlyswaying。Theothers，inever-increasingnumbers，follow，sometimesbydifferentroads，sometimesbythesameroad。Anyonewhodidnotpossessthesecretwouldstandamazedatthismagicascentwithoutaladder。

Inafewminutes，mostofthemareup，clingingtotheceiling。

Notallofthemreachit。Iseesomewho，onattainingacertainheight，ceasetogoupandevenloseground，althoughmovingtheirlegsforwardwithallthenimblenessofwhichtheyarecapable。

Themoretheystruggleupwards，thefastertheycomedown。Thisdrifting，whichneutralizesthedistancecoveredandevenconvertsitintoaretrogression，iseasilyexplained。

Thethreadhasnotreachedtheplatform；itfloats，itisfixedonlyatthelowerend。Aslongasitisofafairlength，itisable，althoughmoving，tobeartheminuteanimal’sweight。But，astheSpiderclimbs，thefloatbecomesshorterinproportion；andthetimecomeswhenabalanceisstruckbetweentheascensionalforceofthethreadandtheweightcarried。Thenthebeastieremainsstationary，althoughcontinuingtoclimb。

Presently，theweightbecomestoomuchfortheshorterandshorterfloat；andtheSpiderslipsdown，inspiteofherpersistent，forwardstriving。Sheisatlastbroughtbacktothebranchbythefallingthreads。Here，theascentissoonrenewed，eitheronafreshthread，ifthesupplyofsilkbenotyetexhausted，oronastrangethread，thework，ofthosewhohavegonebefore。

Asarule，theceilingisreached。Itistwelvefeethigh。ThelittleSpiderisable，therefore，asthefirstproductofherspinning-mill，beforetakinganyrefreshment，toobtainalinefullytwelvefeetinlength。Andallthis，therope-makerandherrope，wascontainedintheegg，aparticleofnosizeatall。TowhatadegreeoffinenesscanthesilkymatterbewroughtwherewiththeyoungSpiderisprovided！Ourmanufacturersareabletoturnoutplatinum-wirethatcanonlybeseenwhenitismadered-hot。

Withmuchsimplermeans，theSpiderlingdrawsfromherwire-millthreadssodelicatethat，eventhebrilliantlightofthesundoesnotalwaysenableustodiscernthem。

Wemustnotletalltheclimbersbestrandedontheceiling，aninhospitableregionwheremostofthemwilldoubtlessperish，beingunabletoproduceasecondthreadbeforetheyhavehadameal。I

openthewindow。Acurrentoflukewarmair，comingfromthechafing-dish，escapesthroughthetop。Dandelion-plumes，takingthatdirection，tellmeso。Thewaftingthreadscannotfailtobecarriedbythisflowofairandtolengthenoutintheopen，wherealightbreezeisblowing。

Itakeapairofsharpscissorsand，withoutshakingthethreads，cutafewthatarejustvisibleatthebase，wheretheyarethickenedwithanaddedstrand。Theresultofthisoperationismarvellous。Hangingtotheflying-rope，whichisborneonthewindoutside，theSpiderpassesthroughthewindow，suddenlyfliesoffanddisappears。Aneasywayoftravelling，iftheconveyancepossessedarudderthatallowedthepassengertolandwherehepleases！Butthelittlethingsareatthemercyofthewinds:

wherewilltheyalight？Hundreds，thousandsofyardsaway，perhaps。Letuswishthemaprosperousjourney。

Theproblemofdisseminationisnowsolved。Whatwouldhappenifmatters，insteadofbeingbroughtaboutbymywiles，tookplaceintheopenfields？Theanswerisobvious。TheyoungSpiders，bornacrobatsandrope-walkers，climbtothetopofabranchsoastofindsufficientspacebelowthemtounfurltheirapparatus。Here，eachdrawsfromherrope-factoryathreadwhichsheabandonstotheeddiesoftheair。Gentlyraisedbythecurrentsthatascendfromthegroundwarmedbythesun，thisthreadwaftsupwards，floats，undulates，makesforitspointofcontact。Atlast，itbreaksandvanishesinthedistance，carryingthespinstresshangingtoit。

TheEpeirawiththethreewhitecrosses，theSpiderwhohassupplieduswiththesefirstdataconcerningtheprocessofdissemination，isendowedwithamoderatematernalindustry。Asareceptaclefortheeggs，sheweavesamerepillofsilk。HerworkismodestindeedbesidetheBandedEpeira’sballoons。Ilookedtothesetosupplymewithfullerdocuments。Ihadlaidupastorebyrearingsomemothersduringtheautumn。Sothatnothingofimportancemightescapeme，Idividedmystockofballoons，mostofwhichwerewovenbeforemyeyes，intotwosections。Onehalfremainedinmystudy，underawire-gauzecover，with，smallbunchesofbrushwoodassupports；theotherhalfwereexperiencingthevicissitudesofopen-airlifeontherosemariesintheenclosure。

Thesepreparations，whichpromisedsowell，didnotprovidemewiththesightwhichIexpected，namely，amagnificentexodus，worthyofthetabernacleoccupied。However，afewresults，notdevoidofinterest，aretobenoted。Letusstatethembriefly。

ThehatchingtakesplaceasMarchapproaches。Whenthistimecomes，letusopentheBandedEpeira’snestwiththescissors。Weshallfindthatsomeoftheyoungstershavealreadyleftthecentralchamberandscatteredoverthesurroundingeiderdown，whiletherestofthelayingstillconsistsofacompactmassoforangeeggs。Theappearanceoftheyounglingsisnotsimultaneous；ittakesplacewithintermissionsandmaylastacoupleofweeks。

Nothingasyetsuggeststhefuture，richly-stripedlivery。Theabdomeniswhiteand，asitwere，flouryinthefronthalf；intheotherhalfitisablackish-brown。Therestofthebodyispale-

yellow，exceptinfront，wheretheeyesformablackedging。Whenleftalone，thelittleonesremainmotionlessinthesoft，russetswan’s-down；ifdisturbed，theyshufflelazilywheretheyare，orevenwalkaboutinahesitatingandunsteadyfashion。Onecanseethattheyhavetoripenbeforeventuringoutside。

Maturityisachievedintheexquisiteflossthatsurroundsthenatalchamberandfillsouttheballoon。Thisisthewaiting-roominwhichthebodyhardens。Alldiveintoitasandwhentheyemergefromthecentralkeg。Theywillnotleaveituntilfourmonthslater，whenthemidsummerheatshavecome。

Theirnumberisconsiderable。Apatientandcarefulcensusgivesmenearlysixhundred。Andallthiscomesoutofapursenolargerthanapea。Bywhatmiracleisthereroomforsuchafamily？Howdothosethousandsoflegsmanagetogrowwithoutstrainingthemselves？

Theegg-bag，aswelearntinChapterII。，isashortcylinderroundedatthebottom。Itisformedofcompactwhitesatin，aninsuperablebarrier。Itopensintoaroundorificewhereinisbeddedalidofthesamematerial，throughwhichthefeeblebeastieswouldbeincapableofpassing。Itisnotaporousfelt，butafabricastoughasthatofthesack。Thenbywhatmechanismisthedeliveryeffected？

Observethatthediskoftheliddoublesbackintoashortfold，whichedgesintotheorificeofthebag。Inthesameway，thelidofasauce-panfitsthemouthbymeansofaprojectingrim，withthisdifference，thattherimisnotattachedtothesaucepan，whereas，intheEpeira’swork，itissolderedtothebagornest。

Well，atthetimeofthehatching，thisdiskbecomesunstuck，liftsandallowsthenew-bornSpiderstopassthrough。

Iftherimweremovableandsimplyinserted，if，moreover，thebirthofallthefamilytookplaceatthesametime，wemightthinkthatthedoorisforcedopenbythelivingwaveofinmates，whowouldsettheirbackstoitwithacommoneffort。Weshouldfindanapproximateimageinthecaseofthesaucepan，whoselidisraisedbytheboilingofitscontents。Butthefabricofthecoverisonewiththefabricofthebag，thetwoarecloselywelded；

besides，thehatchingiseffectedinsmallbatches，incapableoftheleastexertion。Theremust，therefore，beaspontaneousbursting，ordehiscence，independentoftheassistanceoftheyoungstersandsimilartothatoftheseed-podsofplants。

Whenfullyripened，thedryfruitofthesnap-dragonopensthreewindows；thatofthepimpernelsplitsintotworoundedhalves，somethinglikethoseoftheoutercaseofafob-watch；thefruitofthecarnationpartlyunsealsitsvalvesandopensatthetopintoastar-shapedhatch。Eachseed-caskethasitsownsystemoflocks，whicharemadetoworksmoothlybythemerekissofthesun。

Well，thatotherdryfruit，theBandedEpeira’sgerm-box，likewisepossessesitsbursting-gear。Aslongastheeggsremainunhatched，thedoor，solidlyfixedinitsframe，holdsgood；assoonasthelittleonesswarmandwanttogetout，itopensofitself。

ComeJuneandJuly，belovedoftheCicadae，nolessbelovedoftheyoungSpiderswhoareanxioustobeoff。Itweredifficultindeedforthemtoworktheirwaythroughthethickshelloftheballoon。

Forthesecondtime，aspontaneousdehiscenceseemscalledfor。

Wherewillitbeeffected？

Theideaoccursoff-handthatitwilltakeplacealongtheedgesofthetopcover。Rememberthedetailsgiveninanearlierchapter。

Theneckoftheballoonendsinawidecrater，whichisclosedbyaceilingdugoutcup-wise。Thematerialisasstoutinthispartasinanyother；but，asthelidwasthefinishingtouchtothework，weexpecttofindanincompletesoldering，whichwouldallowittobeunfastened。

Themethodofconstructiondeceivesus:theceilingisimmovable；

atnoseasoncanmyforcepsmanagetoextractit，withoutdestroyingthebuildingfromtoptobottom。Thedehiscencetakesplaceelsewhere，atsomepointonthesides。Nothinginformsus，nothingsuggeststousthatitwilloccuratoneplaceratherthananother。

Moreover，totellthetruth，itisnotadehiscencepreparedbymeansofsomedaintypieceofmechanism；itisaveryirregulartear。Somewhatsharply，underthefierceheatofthesun，thesatinburstsliketherindofanover-ripepomegranate。Judgingbytheresult，wethinkoftheexpansionoftheairinside，which，heatedbythesun，causesthisrupture。Thesignsofpressurefromwithinaremanifest:thetattersofthetornfabricareturnedoutwards；also，awispoftherusseteiderdownthatfillsthewalletinvariablystragglesthroughthebreach。Inthemidstoftheprotrudingfloss，theSpiderlings，expelledfromtheirhomebytheexplosion，areinfranticcommotion。

TheballoonsoftheBandedEpeiraarebombswhich，tofreetheircontents，burstundertheraysofatorridsun。Tobreaktheyneedthefieryheat-wavesofthedog-days。Whenkeptinthemoderateatmosphereofmystudy，mostofthemdonotopenandtheemergenceoftheyoungdoesnottakeplace，unlessImyselfIhaveahandinthebusiness；afewothersopenwitharoundhole，aholesoneatthatitmighthavebeenmadewithapunch。Thisapertureistheworkoftheprisoners，who，relievingoneanotherinturns，have，withapatienttooth，bittenthroughthestuffofthejaratsomepointorother。

Whenexposedtothefullforceofthesun，however，ontherosemariesintheenclosure，theballoonsburstandshootfortharuddyfloodofflossandtinyanimals。Thatishowthingsoccurinthefreesun-bathofthefields。Unsheltered，amongthebushes，thewalletoftheBandedEpeira，whentheJulyheatarrives，splitsundertheeffortoftheinnerair。Thedeliveryiseffectedbyanexplosionofthedwelling。

Averysmallpartofthefamilyareexpelledwiththeflowoftawnyfloss；thevastmajorityremaininthebag，whichisrippedopen，butstillbulgeswitheiderdown。Nowthatthebreachismade，anyonecangooutwhopleases，inhisowngoodtime，withouthurrying。

Besides，asolemnactionhastobeperformedbeforetheemigration。

Theanimalmustcastitsskin；andthemoultisaneventthatdoesnotfallonthesamedateforall。Theevacuationoftheplace，therefore，lastsseveraldays。Itiseffectedinsmallsquads，asthesloughisflungaside。

Thosewhosallyforthclimbuptheneighbouringtwigsandthere，inthefullheatofthesun，proceedwiththeworkofdissemination。

ThemethodisthesameasthatwhichwesawinthecaseoftheCrossSpider。Thespinneretsabandontothebreezeathreadthatfloats，breaksandfliesaway，carryingtherope-makerwithit。

Thenumberofstartersonanyonemorningissosmallastorobthespectacleofthegreaterpartofitsinterest。Thescenelacksanimationbecauseoftheabsenceofacrowd。

Tomyintensedisappointment，theSilkyEpeiradoesnoteitherindulgeinatumultuousanddashingexodus。Letmeremindyouofherhandiwork，thehandsomestofthematernalwallets，nexttotheBandedEpeira’s。Itisanobtuseconoid，closedwithastar-shapeddisk。ItismadeofastouterandespeciallyathickermaterialthantheBandedEpeira’sballoon，forwhichreasonaspontaneousrupturebecomesmorenecessarythanever。

Thisruptureiseffectedatthesidesofthebag，notfarfromtheedgeofthelid。Liketherippingoftheballoon，itrequirestheroughaidoftheheatofJuly。Itsmechanismalsoseemstoworkbytheexpansionoftheheatedair，forweagainseeapartialemissionofthesilkyflossthatfillsthepouch。

Theexitofthefamilyisperformedinasinglegroupand，thistime，beforethemoult，perhapsforlackofthespacenecessaryforthedelicatecastingoftheskin。Theconicalbagfallsfarshortoftheballooninsize；thosepackedwithinwouldspraintheirlegsinextractingthemfromtheirsheaths。Thefamily，therefore，emergesinabodyandsettlesonasprighardby。

Thisisatemporarycamping-ground，where，spinninginunison，theyoungsterssoonweaveanopen-worktent，theabodeofaweek，orthereabouts。Themoultiseffectedinthisloungeofintersectingthreads。Thesloughedskinsformaheapatthebottomofthedwelling；onthetrapezesabove，theflaylingstakeexerciseandgainstrengthandvigour。Finally，whenmaturityisattained，theysetout，nowthese，nowthose，littlebylittleandalwayscautiously。Therearenoaudaciousflightsonthethreadyair-

ship；thejourneyisaccomplishedbymodeststages。

Hangingtoherthread，theSpiderletsherselfdropstraightdown，toadepthofnineorteninches。Abreathofairsetsherswinginglikeapendulum，sometimesdrivesheragainstaneighbouringbranch。Thisisasteptowardsthedispersal。Atthepointreached，thereisafreshfall，followedbyafreshpendulousswingthatlandsheralittlefartherafield。Thus，inshorttacks，forthethreadisneververylong，doestheSpiderlinggoabout，seeingthecountry，untilshecomestoaplacethatsuitsher。Shouldthewindblowatallhard，thevoyageiscutshort:

thecableofthependulumbreaksandthebeastieiscarriedforsomedistanceonitscord。

Tosumup，although，onthewhole，thetacticsoftheexodusremainmuchthesame，thetwospinstressesofmyregionbest-versedintheartofweavingmothers’walletsfailedtocomeuptomyexpectations。Iwenttothetroubleofrearingthem，withdisappointingresults。WhereshallIfindagainthewonderfulspectaclewhichtheCrossSpiderofferedmebychance？Ishallfindit——inanevenmorestrikingfashion——amonghumblerSpiders，whomIhadneglectedtoobserve。

CHAPTERVIII:THECRABSPIDER

TheSpiderthatshowedmetheexodusinallitsmagnificenceisknownofficiallyasThomisusonustus，WALCK。Thoughthenamesuggestnothingtothereader’smind，ithastheadvantage，atanyrate，ofhurtingneitherthethroatnortheear，asistoooftenthecasewithscientificnomenclature，whichsoundsmorelikesneezingthanarticulatespeech。SinceitistheruletodignifyplantsandanimalswithaLatinlabel，letusatleastrespecttheeuphonyoftheclassicsandrefrainfromharshsplutterswhichspitoutanameinsteadofpronouncingit。

Whatwillposteritydoinfaceoftherisingtideofabarbarousvocabularywhich，underthepretenceofprogress，stiflesrealknowledge？Itwillrelegatethewholebusinesstothequagmireofoblivion。Butwhatwillneverdisappearisthepopularname，whichsoundswell，ispicturesqueandconveyssomesortofinformation。

SuchisthetermCrabSpider，appliedbytheancientstothegrouptowhichtheThomisusbelongs，aprettyaccurateterm，for，inthiscase，thereisanevidentanalogybetweentheSpiderandtheCrustacean。

LiketheCrab，theThomisuswalkssideways；shealsohasfore-legsstrongerthanherhind-legs。Theonlythingwantingtocompletetheresemblanceisthefrontpairofstonegauntlets，raisedintheattitudeofself-defence。

TheSpiderwiththeCrab-likefiguredoesnotknowhowtomanufacturenetsforcatchinggame。Withoutspringsorsnares，sheliesinambush，amongtheflowers，andawaitsthearrivalofthequarry，whichshekillsbyadministeringascientificstabintheneck。TheThomisus，inparticular，thesubjectofthischapter，ispassionatelyaddictedtothepursuitoftheDomesticBee。Ihavedescribedthecontestsbetweenthevictimandherexecutioner，atgreaterlength，elsewhere。

TheBeeappears，seekingnoquarrel，intentuponplunder。Sheteststheflowerswithhertongue；sheselectsaspotthatwillyieldagoodreturn。Soonsheiswrappedupinherharvesting。

Whilesheisfillingherbasketsanddistendinghercrop，theThomisus，thatbanditlurkingundercoveroftheflowers，issuesfromherhiding-place，creepsroundbehindthebustlinginsect，stealsupcloseand，withasuddenrush，nabsherinthenapeoftheneck。Invain，theBeeprotestsanddartsherstingatrandom；

theassailantdoesnotletgo。

Besides，thebiteintheneckisparalysing，becausethecervicalnerve-centresareaffected。Thepoorthing’slegsstiffen；andallisoverinasecond。Themurderessnowsucksthevictim’sbloodathereaseand，whenshehasdone，scornfullyflingsthedrainedcorpseaside。Shehidesherselfoncemore，readytobleedasecondgleanershouldtheoccasionoffer。

ThisslaughteroftheBeeengagedinthehalloweddelightsoflabourhasalwaysrevoltedme。Whyshouldtherebeworkerstofeedidlers，whysweatedtokeepsweatersinluxury？Whyshouldsomanyadmirablelivesbesacrificedtothegreaterprosperityofbrigandage？Thesehatefuldiscordsamidthegeneralharmonyperplexthethinker，allthemoreasweshallseethecruelvampirebecomeamodelofdevotionwhereherfamilyisconcerned。

Theogrelovedhischildren；heatethechildrenofothers。Underthetyrannyofthestomach，weareallofus，beastsandmenalike，ogres。Thedignityoflabour，thejoyoflife，maternalaffection，theterrorsofdeath:allthesedonotcount，inothers；themainpointisthatmorselthebetenderandsavoury。

Accordingtotheetymologyofhername——[Greektext]，acord——theThomisusshouldbeliketheancientlictor，whoboundthesufferertothestake。ThecomparisonisnotinappropriateasregardsmanySpiderswhotietheirpreywithathreadtosubdueitandconsumeitattheirease；butitjusthappensthattheThomisusisatvariancewithherlabel。ShedoesnotfastenherBee，who，dyingsuddenlyofabiteintheneck，offersnoresistancetoherconsumer。Carriedawaybyhisrecollectionoftheregulartactics，ourSpider’sgodfatheroverlookedtheexception；hedidnotknowoftheperfidiousmodeofattackwhichrenderstheuseofabow-stringsuperfluous。

Noristhesecondnameofonustus——loaded，burdened，freighted——anytoohappilychosen。ThefactthattheBee-huntresscarriesaheavypaunchisnoreasontorefertothisasadistinctivecharacteristic。NearlyallSpidershaveavoluminousbelly，asilk-warehousewhere，insomecases，theriggingofthenet，inothers，theswan’s-downofthenestismanufactured。TheThomisus，afirst-classnest-builder，doesliketherest:shehoardsinherabdomen，butwithoutunduedisplayofobesity，thewherewithaltohouseherfamilysnugly。

Cantheexpressiononustusrefersimplytoherslowandsidelongwalk？Theexplanationappealstome，withoutsatisfyingmefully。

Exceptinthecaseofasuddenalarm，everySpidermaintainsasobergaitandawarypace。Whenallissaid，thescientifictermiscomposedofamisconceptionandaworthlessepithet。Howdifficultitistonameanimalsrationally！Letusbeindulgenttothenomenclator:thedictionaryisbecomingexhaustedandtheconstantfloodthatrequirescataloguingmountsincessantly，wearingoutourcombinationsofsyllables。

Asthetechnicalnametellsthereadernothing，howshallhebeinformed？Iseebutonemeans，whichistoinvitehimtotheMayfestivals，inthewaste-landsoftheSouth。ThemurderessoftheBeesisofachillyconstitution；inourparts，shehardlyevermovesawayfromtheolive-districts。Herfavouriteshrubisthewhite-leavedrock-rose(Cistusalbidus)，withthelarge，pink，crumpled，ephemeralbloomsthatlastbutamorningandarereplaced，nextday，byfreshflowers，whichhaveblossomedinthecooldawn。Thisgloriousefflorescencegoesonforfiveorsixweeks。

Here，theBeesplunderenthusiastically，fussingandbustlinginthespaciouswhorlofthestamens，whichbeflourthemwithyellow。

Theirpersecutrixknowsofthisaffluence。Shepostsherselfinherwatch-house，undertherosyscreenofapetal。Castyoureyesovertheflower，moreorlesseverywhere。IfyouseeaBeelyinglifeless，withlegsandtongueout-stretched，drawnearer:theThomisuswillbethere，ninetimesoutoften。Thethughasstruckherblow；sheisdrainingthebloodofthedeparted。

Afterall，thiscutterofBees’throatsisapretty，averyprettycreature，despiteherunwieldypaunchfashionedlikeasquatpyramidandembossedonthebase，oneitherside，withapimpleshapedlikeacamel’shump。Theskin，morepleasingtotheeyethananysatin，ismilk-whiteinsome，inotherslemon-yellow。

Therearefineladiesamongthemwhoadorntheirlegswithanumberofpinkbraceletsandtheirbackwithcarminearabesques。Anarrowpale-greenribbonsometimesedgestherightandleftofthebreast。

ItisnotsorichasthecostumeoftheBandedEpeira，butmuchmoreelegantbecauseofitssoberness，itsdaintinessandtheartfulblendingofitshues。Novicefingers，whichshrinkfromtouchinganyotherSpider，allowthemselvestobeenticedbytheseattractions；theydonotfeartohandlethebeauteousThomisus，sogentleinappearance。

Well，whatcanthisgemamongSpidersdo？Inthefirstplace，shemakesanestworthyofitsarchitect。Withtwigsandhorse-hairandbitsofwool，theGoldfinch，theChaffinchandothermastersofthebuilder’sartconstructanaerialbowerintheforkofthebranches。Herselfaloverofhighplaces，theThomisusselectsasthesiteofhernestoneoftheuppertwigsoftherock-rose，herregularhunting-ground，atwigwitheredbytheheatandpossessingafewdeadleaves，whichcurlintoalittlecottage。Thisiswhereshesettleswithaviewtohereggs。

Ascendinganddescendingwithagentleswinginmoreorlesseverydirection，thelivingshuttle，swollenwithsilk，weavesabagwhoseoutercasingbecomesonewiththedryleavesaround。Thework，whichispartlyvisibleandpartlyhiddenbyitssupports，isapuredead-white。Itsshape，mouldedintheangularintervalbetweenthebentleaves，isthatofaconeandremindsus，onasmallerscale，ofthenestoftheSilkyEpeira。

Whentheeggsarelaid，themouthofthereceptacleishermeticallyclosedwithalidofthesamewhitesilk。Lastly，afewthreads，stretchedlikeathincurtain，formacanopyabovethenestand，withthecurvedtipsoftheleaves，frameasortofalcovewhereinthemothertakesupherabode。

Itismorethanaplaceofrestafterthefatiguesofherconfinement:itisaguard-room，aninspection-postwherethemotherremainssprawlinguntiltheyoungsters’exodus。Greatlyemaciatedbythelayingofhereggsandbyherexpenditureofsilk，shelivesonlyfortheprotectionofhernest。

Shouldsomevagrantpassnearby，shehurriesfromherwatch-tower，liftsalimbandputstheintrudertoflight。IfIteaseherwithastraw，sheparrieswithbiggestures，likethoseofaprize-

fighter。Sheusesherfistsagainstmyweapon。WhenIproposetodislodgeherinviewofcertainexperiments，Ifindsomedifficultyindoingso。Sheclingstothesilkenfloor，shefrustratesmyattacks，whichIamboundtomoderatelestIshouldinjureher。

Sheisnosoonerattractedoutsidethanshestubbornlyreturnstoherpost。Shedeclinestoleavehertreasure。

EvensodoestheNarbonneLycosastrugglewhenwetrytotakeawayherpill。Eachdisplaysthesamepluckandthesamedevotion；andalsothesamedensenessindistinguishingherpropertyfromthatofothers。TheLycosaacceptswithouthesitationanystrangepillwhichsheis，giveninexchangeforherown；sheconfusesalienproducewiththeproduceofherovariesandhersilk-factory。

Thosehallowedwords，maternallove，wereoutofplacehere:itisanimpetuous，analmostmechanicalimpulse，whereinrealaffectionplaysnopartwhatever。ThebeautifulSpideroftherock-rosesisnomoregenerouslyendowed。Whenmovedfromhernesttoanotherofthesamekind，shesettlesuponitandneverstirsfromit，eventhoughthedifferentarrangementoftheleafyfencebesuchastowarnherthatsheisnotreallyathome。Providedthatshehavesatinunderherfeet，shedoesnotnoticehermistake；shewatchesoveranother’snestwiththesamevigilancewhichshemightshowinwatchingoverherown。

TheLycosasurpassesherinmaternalblindness。Shefastenstoherspinneretsanddangles，bywayofabagofeggs，aballofcorkpolishedwithmyfile，apaperpellet，alittleballofthread。InordertodiscoveriftheThomisusiscapableofasimilarerror，I

gatheredsomebrokenpiecesofsilk-worm’scocoonintoaclosedcone，turningthefragmentssoastobringthesmootherandmoredelicateinnersurfaceoutside。Myattemptwasunsuccessful。Whenremovedfromherhomeandplacedontheartificialwallet，themotherThomisusobstinatelyrefusedtosettlethere。Canshebemoreclear-sightedthantheLycosa？Perhapsso。Letusnotbetooextravagantwithourpraise，however；theimitationofthebagwasaveryclumsyone。

TheworkoflayingisfinishedbytheendofMay，afterwhich，lyingflatontheceilingofhernest，themotherneverleavesherguard-room，eitherbynightorday。Seeingherlooksothinandwrinkled，IimaginethatIcanpleaseherbybringingheraprovisionofBees，asIwaswonttodo。Ihavemisjudgedherneeds。TheBee，hithertoherfavouritedish，temptshernolonger。

Invaindoesthepreybuzzcloseby，aneasycapturewithinthecage:thewatcherdoesnotshiftfromherpost，takesnonoticeofthewindfall。Shelivesexclusivelyuponmaternaldevotion，acommendablebutunsubstantialfare。AndsoIseeherpiningawayfromdaytoday，becomingmoreandmorewrinkled。Whatisthewitheredthingwaitingfor，beforeexpiring？Sheiswaitingforherchildrentoemerge；thedyingcreatureisstillofusetothem。

WhentheBandedEpeira’slittleonesissuefromtheirballoon，theyhavelongbeenorphans。Thereisnonetocometotheirassistance；

andtheyhavenotthestrengthtofreethemselvesunaided。Theballoonhastosplitautomaticallyandtoscattertheyoungstersandtheirflossymattressallmixeduptogether。TheThomisus’

wallet，sheathedinleavesoverthegreaterpartofitssurface，neverbursts；nordoesthelidrise，socarefullyisitsealeddown。Nevertheless，afterthedeliveryofthebrood，wesee，attheedgeofthelid，asmall，gapinghole，anexit-window。Whocontrivedthiswindow，whichwasnotthereatfirst？

Thefabricistoothickandtoughtohaveyieldedtothetwitchesofthefeeblelittleprisoners。Itwasthemother，therefore，who，feelingheroffspringshuffleimpatientlyunderthesilkenceiling，herselfmadeaholeinthebag。Shepersistsinlivingforfiveorsixweeks，despitehershatteredhealth，soastogivealasthelpinghandandopenthedoorforherfamily。Afterperformingthisduty，shegentlyletsherselfdie，hugginghernestandturningintoashrivelledrelic。

WhenJulycomes，thelittleonesemerge。Inviewoftheiracrobatichabits，Ihaveplacedabundleofslendertwigsatthetopofthecageinwhichtheywereborn。Allofthempassthroughthewiregauzeandformagrouponthesummitofthebrushwood，wheretheyswiftlyweaveaspaciousloungeofcriss-crossthreads。

Heretheyremain，prettyquietly，foradayortwo；thenfoot-

bridgesbegintobeflungfromoneobjecttothenext。Thisistheopportunemoment。