The Narbonne Lycosa: The Burrow 



tives' disposal some thick threads of wool, 

 cut into inch lengths. 



As I wish, at the same time, to find out 

 whether my animals, with the magnificent 

 lenses of their eyes, are able to distinguish 

 colours and prefer one colour to another, I 

 mix up bits of wool of different hues: there 

 are red, green, white and yellow pieces. If 

 the Spider have any preference she can 

 choose where she pleases. 



The Lycosa always works at night, a re- 

 grettable circumstance, which does not allow 

 me to follow the worker's methods. I see the 

 result; and that is all. Were I to visit the 

 building-yard by the light of a lantern, I 

 should be no wiser. The animal, which is 

 very shy, would at once dive into its lair; and 

 I should have lost my sleep for nothing. 

 Furthermore, she is not a very diligent 

 labourer; she likes to take her time. Two 

 or three bits of wool or raphia placed in posi- 

 tion represent a whole night's work. And to 

 this slowness we must add long spells of utter 

 idleness. 



Two months pass; and the result of my 

 liberality surpasses my expectations. Possess- 

 ing more windfalls than they know what to 

 133 



