ii8 The Life of the Spider 



it to retrace its steps, even when an accident 

 makes this necessary. 



What the Mason-bees and the others taught 

 us erewhile the Lycosa now confirms in her 

 manner. Incapable of taking fresh pains to 

 build herself a second dwelling, when the first 

 is done for, she will go on the tramp, she will 

 break into a neighbour's house, she will run the 

 risk of being eaten should she not prove the 

 stronger, but she will never think of making 

 herself a home by starting afresh. 



What a strange intellect is that of the animal, 

 a mixture of mechanical routine and subtle 

 brain-power ! Does it contain gleams that 

 contrive, wishes that pursue a definite object ? 

 Following in the wake of so many others, the 

 Lycosa warrants us in entertaining a doubt. 



