318 Correspondence, 



ward, the body of a large spider not long dead, — a spider whose 

 bulk was at least three times as great as that of its intending 

 sexton. On arriving within twelve inches of the sepulchre the 

 insect left the corpse, and hastened thither to ascertain, as I can- 

 not doubt, whether or not the orifice was large enough for its 

 admission : it was not so, and the grave-digger resumed his work 

 enlarging, though but very slightly, showing thus how true his 

 eye was, the opening he had made. Returning to the spider he 

 dragged it onward, and, still running backward, pulled it after 

 him within the hole ; and I noticed that so nice had been the 

 calculation, there was exactly sufficient space for the passage of 

 the body — sufficient, but not a hair's-breadth to spare. 



The insect soon once more emerged, and immediately com- 

 menced filling in the grave, a work he speedily though carefully 

 accomplished. And when that work was completed, he ran round 

 and round with great celerity upon the surface, scattering the 

 gravel in all directions with his feet, with the undoubted object of 

 obliterating every, the faintest mark by which his cache might be 

 discovered : and so efi'ectually was this portion of his operation 

 executed, that half an hour subsequently I was unable, though I 

 searched diligently and anxiously, assisted too by eyes far keener 

 than my own, eyes that had also watched the whole transaction, 

 to find it out myself. 



Meantime, having sent for ray net, I, not without some feelings 

 of compunction, captured the little workman, and putting him to 

 death by the shortest possible method, made a sketch of him for 

 future reference. 



Now, what was the object of the little creature in conveying 

 beyond the ken of other insects the booty it had discovered ? My 

 first impression was that it was an Ichneumon, and that it was 

 about to deposit its eggs within the body of the spider ; but Ich- 

 neumons, I believe, invariably make use of living caterpillars for 

 that purpose ; and after having efi'ected my capture, I could dis- 

 cover no trace of an ovijjositor. I imagine, therefore, that it 

 must have intended to make a meal, or many meals oflf the car- 

 case : but why it should have expended so large an amount of 

 time, and given itself so much trouble on that account, I confess 

 I am unable to determine. 



A reflection, and I conclude. How slender is the line of de- 

 marcation separating instinct from reason ! and how marvellous 

 the Creative Power that could have imparted to an insect so in- 



