LIFE IN THE INSECT WORLD. 197 



it. At first it did not seem to notice the fly, but 

 presently it stopped, looked at it, and then drop- 

 ped right down upon it, and killed it in a mo- 

 ment. I felt so sorry for the poor thing ! 



Aunt M. That was a vagrant spider. They 

 are called vagrants because they have no settled 

 home. They do not make webs, as most spiders 

 do, but go prowling about, seizing their prey 

 wherever they chance to find it. 



I want to tell you something about spiders 

 before we give up our evening conversations. I 

 told you they were not insects, although they 

 very nearly resemble them ; but they are very 

 curious and interesting, and you ought to know 

 something about them. 



Harriet. I am sure we shall be very glad to 

 spend as many more evenings together as you 

 please ; but I am afraid we shall never be much 

 interested in spiders, they are so ugly and dis- 

 agreeable. 



Aunt M. We shall see. 



