210 LIFE IN THE INSECT WORLD. 



fastened, and finding that it was so, attached 

 the other end to the edge of the glass, and start- 

 ing off very carefully on this slender bridge of 

 its own construction, it reached the edge of the 

 basin in safety. 



It is said that when spiders become very old, 

 and the fluid of which their web is composed is 

 entirely dried up, so that they cannot spin, they 

 will go to the habitation of some young spider, 

 take possession of its web, and drive it off to 

 weave another. 



Harriet. I wonder whether the young spi- 

 der is so respectful as to give up its web to the 

 old one without fighting for it. 



Aunt M. It is said they seldom quarrel in 

 such cases; but whether this submission on the 

 part of the young spider arises from respect or 

 from fear, it would be difficult to say ; though I 

 rather suspect it is a little afraid of the sharp 

 claws and pincers of its venerable friend. But 

 perhaps I am doing it injustice. It is too late 

 for us to talk longer now ; but I want to tell 

 you something more about spiders, and if you 

 are not tired of the "disagreeable creatures," as 



