The Labyrinth Spider 323 



provides for it and, to shield herself against it 

 as far as possible, chooses a hiding-place outside 

 her dwelling, far removed from the tell-tale web. 

 When she feels her ovaries ripen, she shifts her 

 quarters ; she goes off at night to explore the 

 neighbourhood and seek a less dangerous refuge. 

 The points selected are, by preference, the low 

 brambles dragging along the ground, keeping 

 their dense verdure during the winter and 

 crammed with dead leaves from the oaks hard 

 by. Rosemary-tufts, which gain in thickness 

 what they lose in height on the unfostering 

 rock, suit her particularly. This is where I 

 usually find her nest, not without long seeking, 

 so well is it hidden. 



So far, there is no departure from current 

 usage. As the world is full of creatures on 

 the prowl for tender mouthfuls, every mother 

 has her apprehensions ; she also has her natural 

 wisdom, which advises her to establish her 

 family in secret places. Very few neglect this 

 precaution ; each, in her own manner, conceals 

 the eggs she lays. 



In the case of the Labyrinth Spider, the pro- 

 tection of the brood is compUcated by another 



