THE MAKERS OF GOSSAMER 



will have shrivelled up to unrecognizable specks. 

 The eggs will hatch, even though the weather be still 

 inclement, and several dozen tiny spiderlings will be 

 ushered into the world to take their part in the strug- 

 gle for existence. 



The first problem, naturally, is that of food. Now 

 in this respect spiders are fastidious. True, most 

 creatures are somewhat particular in their selection of 

 viands, and a caterpillar, for example, will often starve 

 rather than partake of green-meat not exactly in 

 accordance with its taste. But the eggs from which 

 caterpillars are produced are usually laid near to an 

 ample supply of the particular kind of food which 

 the moth-mother instinctively knows her offspring 

 will relish, and the difficulty vanishes. With spiders, 

 however, the case is altogether different. Living 

 creatures form their sole nourishment, and, failing this, 

 they must inevitably perish. Now, if you will bring 

 a lens to bear upon the surface of the ground at the 

 roots of our grass- tuft, you will probably be surprised 

 at the hordes of creatures of one sort and another which 

 people the spot, and you may be tempted to suggest 

 that the supply must be amply sufficient for the needs 

 of a dozen or so of tiny spiders. But, without experi- 

 ence in the matter, you can form little idea of the two 

 most potent factors in this little drama a spider's 

 appetite and a spider's prodigality. As long as suitable 



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