My Neighbour 221 



such times to be sprawling in space, without 

 the least support. 



She comes to an abrupt stop two inches 

 from the ground ; the silk-reel ceases working. 

 The Spider turns round, clutches the line 

 which she has just obtained and climbs up 

 by this road, still spinning. But, this time, 

 as she is no longer assisted by the force 

 of gravity, the thread is extracted in another 

 manner. The two hind-legs, with a quick 

 alternate action, draw it from the wallet and 

 let it go. 



On returning to her starting-point, at a 

 height of six feet or more, the Spider is now in 

 possession of a double Hne, bent into a loop 

 and floating loosely in a current of air. She 

 fixes her end where it suits her and waits until 

 the other end, wafted by the wind, has fastened 

 its loop to the adjacent twigs. 



The desired result may be very slow in 

 coming. It does not tire the unfaiHng patience 

 of the Epeira, but it soon wears out mine. And 

 it has happened to me sometimes to collaborate 

 with the Spider. I pick up the floating loop 

 with a straw and lay it on a branch, at a con- 



