The Black-Bellied Tarantula 9 



I soon saw that the Lycosa's attention and 

 desires were roused. Attracted by the bait, 

 she came with measured steps towards the 

 spikelet. I withdrew it in good time a little 

 outside the hole, so as not to leave the animal 

 time for reflexion ; and the Spider suddenly, 

 with a rush, darted out of her dwelling, of 

 which I hastened to close the entrance. The 

 Tarantula, bewildered by her unaccustomed 

 liberty, was very awkward in evading my 

 attempts at capture ; and I compelled her to 

 enter a paper bag, which I closed without delay. 

 * Sometimes, suspecting the trap, or perhaps 

 less pressed by hunger, she would remain coy 

 and motionless, at a slight distance from the 

 threshold, which she did not think it opportune 

 to cross. Her patience outlasted mine. In 

 that case, I employed the following tactics : 

 after making sure of the Lycosa's position and 

 the direction of the tunnel, I drove a knife 

 into it on the slant, so as to take the animal 

 in the rear and cut off its retreat by stopping 

 up the burrow. I seldom failed in my attempt, 

 especially in soil that was not stony. In these 

 critical circumstances, either the Tarantula 



