Narbonne Lycosa: Climbing-Instinct 



for them. The other bamboo I set up in the 

 middle of the yard, all by itself, some few 

 steps from any outstanding object. The sec- 

 ond nest is removed as it is, shrub and all, 

 and placed at the bottom of the tall, ragged 

 distaff. 



The events expected are not long in com- 

 ing. In the first fortnight in May, a little 

 earlier in one case, a little later in the other, 

 the two families, each presented with a bam- 

 boo climbing-pole, leave their respective wal- 

 lets. There is nothing remarkable about the 

 mode of egress. The precincts to be crossed 

 consist of a very slack net-work, through 

 which the outcomers wriggle: weak little 

 orange-yellow beasties, with a triangular black 

 patch upon their sterns. One morning is long 

 enough for the whole family to make its ap- 

 pearance. 



By degrees, the emancipated youngsters 

 climb the nearest twigs, clamber to the top, 

 and spread a few threads. Soon, they gather 

 in a compact, ball-shaped cluster, the size of 

 a walnut. They remain motionless. With 

 their heads plunged into the heap and their 

 sterns projecting, they doze gently, mellowing 

 under the kisses of the sun. Rich in the posses- 



181 



