The Family 129 



families, united in so tragic a fashion, will form 

 but one. We see how greatly out of place it 

 would be to speak, in this connection, of mother- 

 love and its fond manifestations. 



Does the Lycosa at least feed the younglings 

 who, for seven months, swarm upon her back ? 

 Does she invite them to the banquet when she 

 has secured a prize ? I thought so at first ; 

 and, anxious to assist at the family repast, I 

 devoted special attention to watching the 

 mothers eat. As a rule, the prey is consumed 

 out of sight, in the burrow ; but sometimes 

 also a meal is taken on the threshold, in the 

 open air. Besides, it is easy to rear the Lycosa 

 and her family in a wire-gauze cage, with a 

 layer of earth wherein the captive will never 

 dream of sinking a well, such work being out 

 of season. Everything then happens in the 

 open. 



Well, while the mother munches, chews, 

 expresses the juices and swallows, the youngsters 

 do not budge from their camping-ground on 

 her back. Not one quits its place nor gives a 

 sign of wishing to slip down and join in the 

 meal. Nor does the mother extend an invita- 



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