THE SPIDERS 151 



Some day or other, chance is bound to bring one of them 

 within the purlieus of the burrow. This is the moment 

 to spring upon the pilgrim from the ramparts. Until 

 then, we maintain a stoical vigilance. We shall dine 

 when we can ; but we shall end by dining. 



The Lycosa, therefore, well aware of these lingering 

 eventualities, waits and is not unduly distressed by a pro- 

 longed abstinence. She has an accommodating stomach, 

 which is satisfied to be gorged to-day and to remain 

 empty afterwards for goodness knows how long. I have 

 sometimes neglected my catering duties for weeks at a 

 time ; and my boarders have been none the worse for it. 

 After a more or less protracted fast, they do not pine 

 away, but are smitten with a wolf-like hunger. All these 

 ravenous eaters are alike: they guzzle to excess to-day, 

 in anticipation of to-morrow's dearth. 



The Laying 



Chance, a poor stand-by, sometimes contrives very 

 well. At the beginning of the month of August, the 

 children call me to the far side of the enclosure, rejoicing 

 in a find which they have made under the rosemary- 

 bushes. It is a magnificent Lycosa, with an enormous 

 belly, the sign of an impending delivery. 



Early one morning, ten days later, I find her preparing 

 for her confinement. A silk network is first spun on 

 the ground, covering an extent about equal to the palm 

 of one's hand. It is coarse and shapeless, but firmly 

 fixed. This is the floor on which the Spider means to 

 operate. 



