The Life of the Spider 



down again to the branch gallery, where it is 

 invisible. 



Leon Dufour's appears to me a better 

 method if it were only practicable in the con- 

 ditions wherein I find myself. To drive a 

 knife quickly into the ground, across the bur- 

 row, so as to cut off the Tarantula's retreat 

 when she is attracted by the spikelet and 

 standing on the upper floor, would be a man- 

 oeuvre certain of success, if the soil were 

 favourable. Unfortunately, this is not so in 

 my case: you might as well try to dig a knife 

 into a block of tufa. 



Other stratagems become necessary. Here 

 are two which were successful: I recommend 

 them to future Tarantula-hunters. I insert 

 into the burrow, as far down as I can, a stalk 

 with a fleshy spikelet, which the Spider can 

 bite into. I move and turn and twist my 

 bait. The Tarantula, when touched by the in- 

 truding body, contemplates self-defence and 

 bites the spikelet. A slight resistance informs 

 my fingers that the animal has fallen into the 

 trap and seized the tip of the stalk in its 

 fangs. I draw it to me, slowly, carefully; 

 the Spider hauls from below, planting her 

 legs against the wall. It comes, it rises. I 



56 



