CHAP. xv. EDWARD'S DIFFICULTIES. 311 



once urged him to publish his observations : " I re- 

 ceived from you," he says, " a few days since, a parcel 

 of Eurydice pulchra, in sand, one of which only was 

 alive. I have been much interested in watching its 

 active habits, and the manner in which it buries itself 

 in the sand. ... I wish that you would write some 

 papers on the habits of these creatures. Keep a few 

 at home under as favourable conditions as possible. 

 I am sure much is yet to be learnt about them. I 

 know no one better fitted to work out the subject 

 than yourself. For instance, get some of the Podo- 

 cerus capillatus, and find out how it spins the web 

 that makes the nest; and closely watch all their 

 ways." 



Edward might no doubt have written and published 

 many papers in the scientific journals. He might have 

 gained praise, fame, and honour. But what mattered 

 these to him ? The principal thing that he wanted was 

 time time not only for his investigations, but to earn 

 money for the maintenance of his family. He had now 

 a wife and eleven children to support. He earned 

 nothing by science : he earned everything by his 

 shoemaker's awl. What could the Podocerus capillatus 

 do for his family ? Nothing whatever ! His entire 

 labours were gratuitous. Properly speaking, Natu- 

 ralists should be gentlemen of independent fortune. 

 At all events, they should have some profession to live 

 by ; whilst Edward had nothing but his wretchedly- 

 paid trade of shoemaking. The wonder is. that, with 



