A QUEER " SPIDER'S NEST ' ? 



157 



species. The lump of mud contained two other cells, 

 each of which was similarly packed with the spiders, 

 one of them yielding seventeen individuals. All of 

 them were in the same limp and lifeless condition. 



But a closer examination of the mass revealed the 

 secret of our queer spider nest. After a moment's 

 search I brought to light in one of the cells a tiny egg, 

 and in the second a small white grub in the act of 

 finishing a meal from the mutilated remains of the 

 spiders. 



"It is perfectly plain, don't you see," said I, "that 

 this plump larva, and not the spider, is the real lord 

 of the manor, and that 

 all the spider prisoners 

 were to have been 

 eaten." 



" Yes," said my 

 friend ; " but how 



