262 



ANIMAL LIFE 



" If the weather was cold or damp, she retired to her tunnel ; 

 but if the jar in which she lived was set where the sun 



could shine upon it, she soon re- 

 appeared and allowed the cocoon 

 to bask in the sunlight. If the 

 jar was placed near a stove that 

 had a fire in it, the cocoon was 

 put on the side next the source 

 of warmth ; if the jar 

 was turned around, she 

 lost no time in moving 

 the cocoon to the warmer 

 side. Two months after 

 the eggs were laid the 

 young spiders made their 

 appearance and immediately 

 perched upon their mother, many 

 on her back, some on her head, 

 and even on her legs. She car- 

 ried them about with her and fed 

 them, and until they were older 

 they never left their mother for 

 a moment." 



146. Insects. So much space 

 has already been devoted to an 

 account of the elaborate nest-making and domestic habits 

 of the bees, ants, and termites (see Chapter IX), that we 

 need in this place merely refer to that account. It is 

 among these social insects that the most interesting and 

 highly specialized habits connected with the care of the 

 young and the building of homes are found. 



Many insects make for themselves simple burrows or 

 nests in the ground or in wood. The young or larvae of 

 certain moths burrow about in the soft inside tissue of 

 leaves, and the whole life of the moth except its short adult 

 stage is passed inside the leaf. These larvae are called leaf- 



Fio. 158. Nest of the turret- 

 spider. 



