The Life of the Spider 



and quickly dives down again to bring up 

 more. 



We have seen enough: we know that the 

 Lycosa's fangs, those lethal weapons, are not 

 afraid to bite into clay and gravel. They 

 knead the excavated rubbish into pellets, take 

 up the mass of earth and carry it outside. 

 The rest follows naturally; it is the fangs that 

 dig, delve and extract. How finely-tempered 

 they must be, not to be blunted by this well- 

 sinker's work and to do duty presently in the 

 surgical operation of stabbing the neck ! 



I have said that the repairs and extensions 

 of the burrow are made at long intervals. 

 From time to time, the circular parapet re- 

 ceives additions and becomes a little higher; 

 less frequently still, the dwelling is enlarged 

 and deepened. As a rule, the mansion re- 

 mains as it was for a whole season. Towards 

 the end of winter, in March more than at any 

 other period, the Lycosa seems to wish to 

 give herself a little more space. This is the 

 moment to subject her to certain tests. 



We know that the Field Cricket, when re- 

 moved from his burrow and caged under 

 conditions that would allow him to dig him- 

 self a new home should the fit seize him, 



146 



