Chapter xiii 



THE GARDEN SPIDERS: PAIRING AND HUNTING 



Notwithstanding the importance of the sub- 

 ject, I shall not enlarge upon the nuptials of 

 the Epeirse, grim natures whose loves easily 

 turn to tragedy in the mystery of the night. 

 I have but once been present at the pairing and 

 for this curious experience I must thank my 

 lucky star and my fat neighbour, the Angular 

 Epeira, whom I visit so often by lantern-light. 

 Here you have it. 



It is the first week of August, at about nine 

 o'clock in the evening, under a perfect sky, in 

 calm, hot weather. The Spider has not yet 

 constructed her web and is sitting motionless on 

 her suspension-cable. The fact that she should 

 be slacking like this, at a time when her build- 

 ing-operations ought to be in full swing, natur- 

 ally astonishes me. Can something unusual be 

 afoot ? 



