HABITATIONS OF INSECTS. 303 



her apartment to its intended extent, and now finds herself in possession 

 of a little aerial edifice, I had almost said an enchanted palace, affording 

 her a commodious and dry retreat in the very midst of the water. Here 

 she reposes unmoved by the storms that agitate the surface of the pool, 

 and devours her prey at ease and in safety. Both sexes form these lodg- 

 ings. At a particular season of the year the male quits his apartment, 

 approaches that of the female, enters it, and enlarging it by the bubble of 

 air that he carries with him, it becomes a common abode for the happy 

 pair.^ The spider which forms these singular habitations is one of the 

 largest European species, and in some countries not uncommon in stagnant 

 pools. 



I am, &c. 



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