SPIDERS AND THEIR WAYS. 



373 



some practical object to the trainers, and tell them simply we 

 want birds that will come back in all weathers, in every season, 

 and from all points in the horizon. Our demand would be 

 promptly fulfilled. The bird is very prolific, and the task of the 

 trainer is further facilitated by the fact that pigeon-matings are 

 for life, unless the couples are forcibly separated ; and it is there- 

 fore possible, without difficulty, to keep many varieties distinct 

 in the same pigeon house. Translated aiid abridged for the Popu- 

 lar Science Monthly from the Revue des Deux Mondes. 



SPIDERS AND THEIR WAYS. 



By MAEGAKET WENTWOETH LEIGHTON. 



Spider, 

 At my window spinning', 

 Weaving circles wider, wider, 

 From the deft beginning; 



Running 

 Eings and spokes, until you 

 Build your silken death-trap cunning 

 Shall I catch you kill you ? 



Sprawling, 

 Nimble, shrewd as Circe; 

 Death's your only aim and calling, 

 Why should you have mercy ? 



Strike thee ? 

 Not for rapine willful : 

 Man himself is too much like thee. 

 Only not so skillful. 



George Horton's Songs of the Loivhj. 



'^KTOT so skillful, and doubtless never will be, for to-day a 

 -L^ spider's thread is used in the telescope because man has 

 been unable to manufacture one so fine and delicate. 



Whenever I look at the marvelous web of the great black-and- 

 gold garden spider I remember that pretty story of the way in 

 which the group of spiders received its name of Arachnidos. In 

 the olden times there was a lovely maiden named Arachne, who 

 could weave and embroider with such deftness that the nymphs 

 all gathered to watch her. They whispered to each other that 

 she must have been taught by Minerva herself, who was the god- 

 dess of Wisdom. Arachne overheard them, and, denying their 

 accusation, challenged Minerva to a trial of skill. Minerva ac- 

 cepted the challenge, and when the webs were woven Arachne's 

 was wonderfully beautiful, but Minerva's far surpassed it. 



