The Spiders' Exodus 169 



produce a second thread before they have had 

 a meal. I open the window. A current of 

 lukewarm air, coming from the chafing-dish, 

 escapes through the top. Dandelion-plumes, 

 taking that direction, tell me so. The wafting 

 threads cannot fail to be carried by this flow 

 of air and to lengthen out in the open, where a 

 light breeze is blowing. 



I take a pair of sharp scissors and, without 

 shaking the threads, cut a few that are 

 just visible at the base, where they are 

 thickened with an added strand. The result 

 of this operation is marvellous. Hanging to 

 the flying-rope, which is borne on the wind 

 outside, the Spider passes through the window, 

 suddenly flies off and disappears. An easy 

 way of travelling, if the conveyance possessed 

 a rudder that allowed the passenger to land 

 where he pleases ! But the little things are at 

 the mercy of the winds : where will they alight ? 

 Hundreds, thousands of yards away, perhaps. 

 Let us wish them a prosperous journey. 



The problem of dissemination is now solved. 

 What would happen if matters, instead of being 

 brought about by my wiles, took place in the 



