THE BANDED EPEIRA 181 



the animal was hypnotized by her watching. At most, 

 on the appearance of anything suspicious, she begins 

 shaking her nest. This is her way of inspiring the 

 intruder with awe. If I myself wish to provoke the 

 singular alarm, I have but to tease the Epeira with a 

 bit of straw. You cannot have a swing without an 

 impulse of some sort. The terror-stricken Spider, who 

 wishes to strike terror into others, has hit upon some- 

 thing much better. With nothing to push her, she 

 swings with the floor of ropes. There is no effort, no 

 visible exertion. Not a single part of the animal moves; 

 and yet everything trembles. Violent shaking proceeds 

 from apparent inertia. Rest causes commotion. 



When calm is restored, she resumes her attitude, cease- 

 lessly pondering the harsh problem of life: 



" Shall I dine to-day, or not? " 



Certain privileged beings, exempt from those anxieties, 

 have food in abundance and need not struggle to obtain 

 it. Such is the Gentle, who swims blissfully in the broth 

 of the putrefying Adder. Others — and, by a strange 

 irony of fate, these are generally the most gifted — only 

 manage to eat by dint of craft and patience. 



You are of their company, O my industrious Epeirse ! 

 So that you may dine, you spend your treasures of 

 patience nightly; and often without result. I sym- 

 pathize with your woes, for I, who am as concerned as 

 you about my daily bread, T also doggedly spread my 

 net, the net for catching ideas, a more elusive and 

 less substantial prize than the Moth. Let us not lose 



