192 The Life of the Spider 



children to emerge ; the dying creature is still of 

 use to them. 



When the Banded Epeira's little ones issue 

 from their balloon, they have long been orphans. 

 There is none to come to their assistance ; and 

 they have not the strength to free themselves 

 unaided. The balloon has to split automatically 

 and to scatter the youngsters and their flossy 

 mattress all mixed up together. The Thomisus' 

 wallet, sheathed in leaves over the greater part 

 of its surface, never bursts ; nor does the lid 

 rise, so carefully is it sealed down. Nevertheless, 

 after the delivery of the brood, we see, at the 

 edge of the Hd, a small, gaping hole, an exit- 

 window. Who contrived this window, which 

 was not there at first ? 



The fabric is too thick and tough to have 

 yielded to the twitches of the feeble little 

 prisoners. It was the mother, therefore, who, 

 feeling her offspring shuffle impatiently under 

 the silken ceiling, herself made a hole in the bag. 

 She persists in living for five or six weeks, despite 

 her shattered health, so as to give a last helping 

 hand and open the door for her family. After 

 performing this duty, she gently lets herself die. 



