1 1 2 The Life of the Spider 



knead the excavated rubbish into pellets, take 

 up the mass of earth and carry it outside. The 

 rest follows naturally ; it is the fangs that 

 dig, delve and extract. How finely- tempered 

 they must be, not to be blunted by this well- 

 sinker's work and to do duty presently in the 

 surgical operation of stabbing the neck ! 



I have said that the repairs and extensions of 

 the burrow are made at long intervals. From 

 time to time, the circular parapet receives 

 additions and becomes a Httle higher ; less 

 frequently still, the dwelling is enlarged and 

 deepened. As a rule, the mansion remains as 

 it was for a whole season. Towards the end of 

 winter, in March more than at any other period, 

 the Lycosa seems to wish to give herself a little 

 more space. This is the moment to subject 

 her to certain tests. 



We know that the Field Cricket, when re- 

 moved from his burrow and caged under con- 

 ditions that would allow him to dig himself 

 a new home should the fit seize him, prefers to 

 tramp from one casual shelter to another, or 

 rather abandons every idea of creating a per- 

 manent residence. There is a short season 



