The Life of the Spider 



the result is a masterpiece of symmetry and 

 elegance, if we allow for a few angularities 

 demanded by the suspension-points. 



It is an oval of exquisite white muslin, a 

 diaphanous abode wherein the mother must 

 make a long stay to watch over the brood. 

 The size is nearly that of a Hen's egg. The 

 cabin is open at either end. The front- 

 entrance broadens into a gallery; the back- 

 entrance tapers into a funnel-neck. I fail to 

 see the object of this neck. As for the open- 

 ing in front, which is wider, this is, beyond a 

 doubt, a victualling-door. I see the Spider, at 

 intervals, standing here on the look-out for the 

 Locust, whom she consumes outside, taking 

 care not to soil the spotless sanctuary with 

 corpses. 



The structure of the nest is not without a 

 certain similarity to that of the home oc- 

 cupied during the hunting-season. The 

 passage at the back represents the funnel-neck 

 that ran almost down to the ground and 

 afforded an outlet for flight in case of grave 

 danger. The one in front, expanding into a 

 mouth kept wide open by cords stretched back- 

 wards and forward, recalls the yawning gulf 

 into which the victims used to fall. Every 



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