The Life of the Spider 



welded; besides, the hatching is effected 

 in small batches, incapable of the least 

 exertion. There must, therefore, be a sponta- 

 neous bursting, or dehiscence, independent of 

 the assistance of the youngsters and similar to 

 that of the seed-pods of plants. 



When fully ripened, the dry fruit of the 

 snap-dragon opens three windows; that of the 

 pimpernel splits into two rounded halves, 

 something like those of the outer case of a 

 fob-watch; the fruit of the carnation partly 

 unseals its valves and opens at the top into a 

 star-shaped hatch. Each seed-casket has its 

 own system of locks, which are made to work 

 smoothly by the mere kiss of the sun. 



Well, that other dry fruit, the Banded 

 Epeira's germ-box, likewise possesses its burst- 

 ing-gear. As long as the eggs remain 

 unhatched, the door, solidly fixed in its 

 frame, holds good; as soon as the little ones 

 swarm and want to get out, it opens of 

 itself. 



Come June and July, beloved of the Ci- 

 cadae, no less beloved of the young Spiders 

 who are anxious to be off. It were difficult in- 

 deed for them to work their way through the 

 thick shell of the balloon. For the second 

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