NATURAL HISTORY, 97 



layers or pieces were the broadest, and the 

 -outside ones became smaller and smaller, ex- 

 cept at the hinge, which was about an inch 

 long. All the pieces in the door were joined 

 into this hinge, and then the hinge was joined 

 and worked into the lining in the tube. 

 That made the hinge the thickest and strong- 

 est part of the whole work. How the spider 

 made it so, boys, I cannot tell ; but so it was, 

 that this hinge not only was a hinge, but was 

 so good a spring, that whenever the door was 

 opened it would shut itself immediately : 

 arid when shut, it fitted so nicely that it was 

 very difficult to see the place of joining." 



" Well, Uncle Philip, this is most wonder- 

 ful ! But will not the hinge wear out at 

 last ?" 



" Wonderful as it is, boys, it is all true. As 

 to its wearing out, I cannot tell you ; but I 

 know that a gentleman who had one, said 

 that his friends were very anxious to see it ; 

 and there were so many of them, that he had 

 to open the door and let it shut itself many 

 hundreds of times to satisfy them ; and it did 

 not hurt the spring at all." 



" Uncle Philip, we shall not kill the poor 



spiders any more." 



i 



