Chapter xvi 



THE CLOTHO SPIDER 



She is named Durand's Clotho (Clotho Durandi, 

 Latr.), in memory of him who first called atten- 

 tion to this particular Spider. To enter on 

 eternity under the safe-conduct of a diminutive 

 animal which saves us from speedy oblivion 

 under the mallows and rockets is no contempt- 

 ible advantage. Most men disappear without 

 leaving an echo to repeat their name ; they lie 

 buried in forgetfulness, the worst of graves. 



Others, among the naturahsts, benefit by the 

 designation given to this or that object in life's 

 treasure-house : it is the skiff wherein they 

 keep afloat for a brief while. A patch of lichen 

 on the bark of an old tree, a blade of grass, 

 a puny beastie : any one of these hands down 

 a man's name to posterity as effectively as a 

 new comet. For all its abuses, this manner 

 of honouring the departed is eminently respect- 



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