888 Insect Architecture 



globules of gum.* We Lave not been able to verify this 

 distinction, having seen the suspensory lines as often studded 

 in this manner as those in the centre. (J. R.) 



MASON-SPIDERS. 



A no less wonderful structure is composed by a sort of 

 spiders, natives of the tropics and the south of Europe, which 

 have been justly called mason-spiders by M. Latreille. One 

 of these (Mygale nidulans, WALCKN.), found in the West 

 Indies, " digs a hole in the earth obliquely downwards about 

 three inches in length, and one in diameter. This cavity 

 she lines with a tough thick web, which, when taken out, 

 resembles a leathern purse ; but, what is most curious, this 

 house has a door with hinges, like the operculum of some 

 sea-shells, and herself and family, who tenant this nest, open 

 and shut the door whenever they pass and repass. This 

 history was told me," says Darwin, " and the nest, with its 

 door, shown me by the late Dr. Butt, of Bath, who was some 

 years physician in Jamaica."! 



The nest of a mason-spider, similar to this, has been 

 obligingly put into our hands by Mr. Riddle, of Blackheath. 

 It came from the West Indies, and is probably that of 

 Latreille's clay-kneader (Mygale cratiens), and one of the 

 smallest of the genus. We have since seen a pair of these 

 spiders in possession of Mr. William Mello, of Blackheath. 

 The nest is composed of very hard argillaceous clay, deeply 

 tinged with brown oxide of iron. It is in form of a tube, 

 about one inch in diameter, between six and seven inches 

 long, and slightly bent towards the lower extremity 

 appearing to have been mined into the clay rather than built. 

 The interior of the tube is lined with a uniform tapestry of 

 silken web, of an orange-white colour, with a texture inter- 

 mediate between India paper and very fine glove leather. 

 But the most wonderful part of this nest is its entrance, 

 which we look upon as the perfection of insect architecture. 

 A circular door, about the size of a crown piece, slightly 



* Kirby and Speiice, Intr. i. 419. 



f Darwin's Zoonomia, i. 253, 8vo. ed. 



