THE DIVING SPIDER. 



139 



of air beneath the pellicle which surrounds her. " Clothed in 

 this aerial mantle, which to the spectator seems formed of 

 resplendent quicksilver, she then plunges to the bottom, and 

 with as much dexterity as a chemist transfers gas with a 

 gas-holder, introduces her bubble of air beneath the roof 

 prepared for its reception ; this manoeuvre is ten or twelve times 

 repeated, and when she has transported sufficient air to expand 

 her apartment to its intended extent, she possesses an aerial 

 edifice, an enchanted palace, where, unmoved by storms, she 

 devours her prey at ease." Fancy-woven from the foregoing 

 description is the Fairy Tale which forms the subject of the 

 next episode. 



'3-1(1 5f tin lunf ULU>II ai rerun 



