The Life of the Spider 



tion, which yields slightly and then contracts. 

 Lastly, the house is furnished with a mattress 

 of first-quality cotton. Here lie from six to 

 eight white eggs, the size of a cherry-stone. 



Well, this wonderful nest is a barbarous 

 casemate compared with that of the Banded 

 Epeira. As regards shape, this stocking-foot 

 cannot be mentioned in the same breath with 

 the Spider's elegant and faultlessly-rounded 

 balloon. The fabric of mixed cotton and 

 tow is a rustic frieze beside the spinstress' 

 satin; the suspension-straps are clumsy cables 

 compared with the delicate silk fastenings. 

 Where shall we find in the Penduline's mat- 

 tress aught to vie with the Epeira's eider- 

 down, that teazled russet gossamer? The 

 Spider is superior to the bird in every way, 

 in so far as concerns her work. 



But, on her side, the Penduline is a more 

 devoted mother. For weeks on end, squat- 

 ting at the bottom of her purse, she presses to 

 her heart the eggs, those little white pebbles 

 from which the warmth of her body will 

 bring forth life. The Epeira knows not these 

 softer passions. Without bestowing a second 

 glance on it, she abandons her nest to its fate, 

 be it good or ill. 



104 



