The Crab Spider 



begin to be flung from one object to the next. 

 This is the opportune moment. 



I put the bunch laden with beasties on a 

 small table, in the shade, before the open win- 

 dow. Soon, the exodus commences, but slowly 

 and unsteadily. There are hesitations, retro- 

 gressions, perpendicular falls at the end of a 

 thread, ascents that bring the hanging Spider 

 up again. In short, much ado for a poor 

 result. 



As matters continue to drag, it occurs to me, 

 at eleven o'clock, to take the bundle of brush- 

 wood swarming with the little Spiders, all 

 eager to be off, and place it on the window-sill, 

 in the glare of the sun. After a few minutes' 

 of heat and light, the scene assumes a very 

 different aspect. The emigrants run to the 

 top of the twigs, bustle about actively. It 

 becomes a bewildering rope-yard, where thou- 

 sands of legs are drawing the hemp from the 

 spinnerets. I do not see the ropes manu- 

 factured and sent floating at the mercy of the 

 air; but I guess their presence. 



Three or four Spiders start at a time, each 

 going her own way in directions independent 

 of her neighbours'. All are moving upwards, 

 all are climbing some support, as can be per- 



225 



