THE SPIDERS 147 



when, unaware of this fierce intolerance, which is more 

 savage still at breeding-time, I saw hideous orgies per- 

 petrated in my overstocked cages. I shall have occasion 

 to describe those tragedies later. 



Let us meanwhile consider the isolated Lycosae. They 

 do not touch up the dwelling which I have molded for 

 them with a bit of reed ; at most, now and again, perhaps 

 with the object of forming a lounge or bedroom at the 

 bottom, they fling out a few loads of rubbish. But all, 

 little by little, build the kerb that is to edge the mouth. 



I have given them plenty of first-rate materials, far 

 superior to those W'hich they use w^hen left to their ow^n 

 resources. These consist, first, for the foundations, of 

 little smooth stones, some of w^hich are as large as an 

 almond. With this road-metal are mingled short strips 

 of raphia, or palm-fiber, flexible ribbons, easily bent. 

 These stand for the Spider's usual basket-work, consist- 

 ing of slender stalks and dry blades of grass. Lastly, by 

 way of an unprecedented treasure, never yet employed 

 by a Lycosa, I place at my captives' disposal some thick 

 threads of wool, cut into inch lengths. 



As I wish, at the same time, to find out whether my 

 animals, with the magnificent lenses of their eyes, are 

 able to distinguish colors and prefer one color to another, 

 I mix up bits of wool of different hues: there are red, 

 green, white, and yellow pieces. If the Spider have any 

 preference she can choose where she pleases. 



The Lycosa always works at night, a regrettable cir- 

 cumstance, W'hich does not allow me to follow the work- 

 er's methods. I see the result; and that is all. Were I 



