The Labyrinth Spider 



intact the apparatus that enabled her to live 

 at her ease. Thoughtful of her natural duties, 

 she goes to found another establishment at a 

 distance. Why at a distance ? 



She has still a few long months to live and 

 she needs norishment. Were it not better, 

 then, to lodge the eggs in the immediate 

 neighbourhood of the present home and to 

 continue her hunting with the excellent snare 

 at her disposal? The watching of the nest 

 and the easy acquisition of provender would 

 go hand in hand. The Spider is of another 

 opinion ; and I suspect the reason. 



The sheet-net and the labyrinth that sur- 

 mounts it are objects visible from afar, owing 

 to their whiteness and the height whereat they 

 are placed. Their scintillation in the sun, in 

 frequented paths, attracts Mosquitoes and 

 Butterflies, like the lamps in our rooms and 

 the fowler's looking-glass. Whoso comes to 

 look at the bright thing too closely dies the 

 victim of his curiosity. There is nothing 

 better for playing upon the folly of the 

 passer-by, but also nothing more dangerous to 

 the safety of the family. 



Harpies will not fail to come running at 

 this signal, showing up against the green; 



347 



