io6 The Life of the Spider 



At best, the ledge provided by the turret may, 

 at rare intervals, tempt some weary wayfarer 

 to use it as a resting-place. But, if the quarry 

 do not come to-day, it is sure to come to- 

 morrow, the next day, or later, for the Locusts 

 hop innumerable in the waste-land, nor are they 

 always able to regulate their leaps. Some 

 day or other, chance is bound to bring one of 

 them within the purlieus of the burrow. This 

 is the moment to spring upon the pilgrim from 

 the ramparts. Until then, we maintain a 

 stoical vigilance. We shall dine when we can ; 

 but we shall end by dining. 



The Lycosa, therefore, well aware of these 

 lingering eventualities, waits and is not unduly 

 distressed by a prolonged abstinence. She 

 has an accommodating stomach, which is satis- 

 fied to be gorged to-day and to remain empty 

 afterwards for goodness knows how long. I 

 have sometimes neglected my catering-duties 

 for weeks at a time ; and my boarders have 

 been none the worse for it. After a more or 

 less protracted fast, they do not pine away, 

 but are smitten with a wolf-like hunger. All 

 these ravenous eaters are alike : they guzzle 



