SPIDERS. 309 



by some naturalists to be incapable of spinning. The 

 nest in question was about two inches high, composed of 

 a very close satin-like texture. There were two parallel 

 chambers placed perpendicularly, in which position also 

 the inhabitant reposed there during the day, going, as 

 we presume, only abroad to prey during the night. But 

 the most remarkable circumstance was, that the openings 

 (two above and two below) were so elastic, that they 

 shut ahnost as closely as the boat cocoon of the Tortrix 

 Chlorana (see page 281). We observed this spider for 

 several months, but at last it disappeared, and we took the ^ 

 nest out, under the notion that it might contain eggs ; but 

 we found none, and therefore conclude that it was only 

 used as a da}^ retreat. (J. E.) The account which Evelyn 

 has given of these hunting-spiders is so interesting, that 

 we mu.st transcribe it. 



" Of all sorts of insects," says he, " there is none has 

 afforded me more divertisement than the venatores (hunters), 

 which are a sort of lapi (wolves) that have their dens 

 in rugged walls and crevices of our houses ; a small brown 

 and delicately-spotted kind of spiders, whose hinder legs 

 are longer than the rest. Such I did frequently observe 

 at Eome, which, espying a fly at three or four yards' 

 distance, upon the balcony where I stood, would not 

 make directly to her, but crawl under the rail, till being 

 arrived at the antipodes, it would steal up, seldom missing 

 its aim ; but if it chanced to want anything of being 

 perfectly opposite, would, at first peep, immediately slide 

 down again, — till, taking better notice, it would come the 

 next time exactly upon the fly's back : but if this happened 

 not to be within a competent leap, then would this insect 

 move so softly, as the very shadow of the gnomon seemed 

 not to be more imperceptible, unless the fly moved ; and 

 then would the spider move also in the same proportion, 

 keeping that just time with her motion, as if the same 

 soul had animated both these little bodies ; and whether it 

 were forwards, backwards, or to either side, without at all 

 turning her body, like a well-managed horse : but if the 

 capricious fly took wing and pitched upon another place 



