Pairing and Hunting 2rj\ 



thing suspicious, she begins shaking her nest. 

 This is her way of inspiring the intruder with 

 awe. If I myself wish to provoke the singular 

 alarm, I have but to tease the Epeira with a bit 

 of straw. You cannot have a swing without an 

 impulse of some sort. The terror-stricken 

 Spider, who wishes to strike terror into others, 

 has hit upon something much better. With 

 nothing to push her, she swings with her floor 

 of ropes. There is no effort, no visible exertion. 

 Not a single part of the animal moves ; and 

 yet everything trembles. Violent shaking pro- 

 ceeds from apparent inertia. Rest causes com- 

 motion. 



When calm is restored, she resumes her 

 attitude, ceaselessly pondering the harsh pro- 

 blem of life : 



* Shall I dine to-day, or not ? ' 



Certain privileged beings, exempt from those 

 anxieties, have food in abundance and need not 

 struggle to obtain it. Such is the Gentle, who 

 swims blissfully in the broth of the putrefying 

 adder. Others — and, by a strange irony of 

 fate, these are generally the most gifted — only 

 manage to eat by dint of craft and patience. 



