The Labyrinth Spider 321 



she goes to found another establishment at a 

 distance. Why at a distance ? 



She has still a few long months to live and 

 she needs nourishment. Were it not better, 

 then, to lodge the eggs in the immediate neigh- 

 bourhood of the present home and to continue 

 her hunting with the excellent snare at her 

 disposal ? The watching of the nest and the 

 easy acquisition of provender would go hand 

 in hand. The Spider is of another opinion ; 

 and I suspect the reason. 



The sheet-net and the labyrinth that sur- 

 mounts it are objects visible from afar, owing 

 to their whiteness and the height whereat they 

 are placed. Their scintillation in the sun, in 

 frequented paths, attracts Mosquitoes and 

 Butterflies, like the lamps in our rooms and the 

 fowler's looking-glass. Whoso comes to look 

 at the bright thing too closely dies the victim of 

 his curiosity. There is nothing better for playing 

 upon the folly of the passer-by, but also nothing 

 more dangerous to the safety of the family. 



Harpies will not fail to come running at this 

 signal, showing up against the green ; guided 

 by the position of the web, they will assuredly 



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