The Spiders' Exodus 165 



ruler between the window and the table. Hence- 

 forth, in the motionless atmosphere, there are 

 no departures. The current of air is missing, 

 the skeins are not unwound and migration 

 becomes impossible. 



It is soon resumed, but in a direction whereof 

 I never dreamt. The hot sun is beating on a 

 certain part of the floor. At this spot, which 

 is warmer than the rest, a column of lighter, 

 ascending air is generated. If this column 

 catch the threads, my Spiders ought to rise 

 to the ceiling of the room. 



The curious ascent does, in fact, take place. 

 Unfortunately, my troop, which has been 

 greatly reduced by the number of departures 

 through the window, does not lend itself to 

 prolonged experiment. We must begin again. 



The next morning, on the same yucca, I 

 gather the second family, as numerous as the 

 first. Yesterday's preparations are repeated. 

 My legion of Spiders first weaves a divergent 

 framework between the top of the brushwood 

 placed at the emigrants' disposal and the edge 

 of the table. Five or six hundred wee beasties 

 swarm all over this work-yard. 



