22 The Life of a Spider 



foodstuffs for her offspring ; ^ she herself feeds 

 on the prey which she catches. She is not a 

 * paralyzer,' ^ who cleverly spares her quarry 

 so as to leave it a glimmer of life and keep it 

 fresh for weeks at a time ; she is a killer, who 

 makes a meal off her capture on the spot. 

 With her, there is no methodical vivisection, 

 which destroys movement without entirely 

 destroying life, but absolute death, as sudden 

 as possible, which protects the assailant from 

 the counter-attacks of the assailed. 



Her game, moreover, is essentially bulky 

 and not always of the most peaceful character. 

 This Diana, ambushed in her tower, needs a 

 prey worthy of her prowess. The big Grass- 

 hopper, with the powerful jaws ; the irascible 

 Wasp ; the Bee, the Bumble-bee and other 

 wearers of poisoned daggers must fall into the 

 ambuscade from time to time. The duel is 

 nearly equal in point of weapons. To the 

 venomous fangs of the Lycosa the Wasp opposes 

 her venomous stiletto. Which of the two 

 bandits shall have the best of it ? The struggle 



* Like the Dung-beetles. — Translator's Note. 

 ' Like the SoHtary Wasps. — Translator's Note. 



