314 T^^^ ^tf^ of the Spider 



shapeless scaffolding, run up anyhow. And 

 yet, like the others, the builder of this slovenly 

 edifice must have her own principles of beauty 

 and accuracy. As it is, the prettily-latticed 

 mouth of the crater makes us suspect this ; the 

 nest, the mother's usual masterpiece, will prove 

 it to the full. 



When laying-time is at hand, the Spider 

 changes her residence ; she abandons her web 

 in excellent condition ; she does not return to 

 it. Whoso will can take possession of the house. 

 The hour has come to found the family-estab- 

 lishment. But where ? The Spider knows 

 right well ; I am in the dark. Mornings are 

 spent in fruitless searches. In vain I ransack 

 the bushes that carry the webs : I never find 

 aught that realizes my hopes. 



I learn the secret at last. I chance upon a 

 web which, though deserted, is not yet dilapi- 

 dated, proving that it has been but lately 

 quitted. Instead of hunting in the brushwood 

 whereon it rests, let us inspect the neighbour- 

 hood, to a distance of a few paces. If these 

 contain a low, thick cluster, the nest is there, 

 hidden from the eye. It carries an authentic 



