The Garden Spiders: My Neighbour 



shocks, is never strong enough, especially as 

 it is exposed to the additional burden of little 

 bits of plaster loosened from the wall. The 

 owner is constantly working at it ; she adds a 

 new layer nightly. 



Every time that she issues from her tubular 

 retreat or returns to it, she fixes the thread 

 that hangs behind her upon the road covered. 

 As evidence of this work, we have the direc- 

 tion of the surface-lines, all of which, whether 

 straight or winding, according to the fancies 

 that guide the Spider's path, converge upon 

 the entrance of the tube. Each step taken, 

 beyond a doubt, adds a filament to the web. 



We have here the story of the Procession- 

 ary of the Pine, 1 whose habits I have related 

 elsewhere. When the caterpillars leave the 

 silk pouch, to go and browse at night, and 

 also when they enter it again, they never fail 

 to spin a little on the surface of their nest. 

 Each expedition adds to the thickness of the 

 wall. 



When moving this way or that upon the 

 purse which I have split from top to bottom 

 with my scissors, the Processionaries upholster 



1 The Processionaries are Moth-caterpillars that feed 

 on various leaves and march in file, laying a silken trail 

 as they go. Translator's Note. 

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