246 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 
of this tube visible on the bank is about two inches in length, 
pendant, and always inflated; it is of a darker colour than 
the subterranean portion of the tube, and agrees in this 
respect with the general surface of the bank. I took home: 
one of these tubes in a collapsed state, or with the sides 
pressed together, and having the spider at the extremity. On 
opening the box I perceived a movement throughout the 
tube, as if it were undergoing the process of inflation; this 
soon subsided. The next morning, however, I was surprised 
to see the tube inflated throughout its entire length, more 
especially at that end which had been exposed on the bank. 
How can.the spider effect this?’ In some of the tubes it is 
very difficult to discover any external aperture; but, in that 
portion which is exposed and is distended more than the 
rest, | sometimes discovered one or more minute openings, 
protected or covered by a little valve or door. In some nests 
these openings are not to be detected; when present they 
open towards the bank. Although very loosely constructed 
at the lower extremity, I do not think there is an opening 
there, except when the spider is deepening her burrow; or, I 
think, in some instances, the spiders would have escaped 
through it when I extracted the sack. This was never the 
case.” 
This process of inflation is one of the greatest possible 
interest. Although, through the courtesy and kindness of 
Mr. Brown, I am possessed of ample materials for doing so, 
I never could discover the mode of inflation. The object 
was more easy to account for, since the adhesive nature of 
the silken lining of the sack rendered the walls very liable to 
cohere, and thus the tubular character of the structure would 
be destroyed. 
Mr. Brown most kindly sent me living specimens, in order 
that I might examine them for myself; which I did with 
great deliberation and care, but without obtaining any 
further information. I particularly directed my attention to 
the subject of food, Mr. Brown having conceived the idea 
that the spider fed on earth-worms. This idea seems to arise 
from his having found a mangled earth-worm, in connection 
with the tube, during the course of his diggings and investi- 
gations; and more especially from his having been unable 
to find the wings, legs, or other parts of insects, attached to 
