THE BANDED EPEIRA 185 



prey is promptly mastered under this avalanche. In vain 

 the Mantis tries to open her saw-toothed arm-guards ; in 

 vain the Hornet makes play with her dagger ; in vain the 

 Beetle stiffens his legs and arches his back : a fresh wave 

 of threads swoops down and paralyzes every effort. 



The ancient retiarius, when pitted against a powerful 

 wild beast, appeared in the arena with a rope-net folded 

 over his left shoulder. The animal made its spring. 

 The man, with a sudden movement of his right arm, 

 cast the net after the manner of the fisherman; he 

 covered the beast and tangled it in the meshes. A thrust 

 of the trident gave the quietus to the vanquished foe. 



The Epeira acts in like fashion, with this advantage, 

 that she is able to renew her armful of fetters. Should 

 the first not suffice, a second instantly follows and 

 another and yet another, until the reserves of silk become 

 exhausted. 



When all movement ceases under the snowy winding- 

 sheet, the Spider goes up to her bound prisoner. She 

 has a better weapon than the bestiarius' trident : she has 

 her poison-fangs. She gnaws at the Locust, without 

 undue persistence, and then withdraws, leaving the torpid 

 patient to pine away. 



These lavished, far-flung ribbons threaten to exhaust 

 the factory; it would be much more economical to resort 

 to the method of the spool; but, to turn the machine, 

 the Spider would have to go up to it and work it with 

 her leg. This is too risky; and hence the continuous 

 spray of silk, at a safe distance. When all is used up, 

 there is more to come. 



