238 DAYS OUT OF DOORS. 



visible threads, which mounted directly upward and were 

 lost to view. First one and then another spinneret gave 

 up its thread, and a dozen or more were wafted into space 

 while I stood watching. Then, without any premonition, 

 the spider gave a leap, and with its legs folded up beneath 

 it, passed upward and out of sight. 



My old favorites the gray lizards too were ever present. 

 Fly-catchers, like the spiders, they rambled over the tent 

 without hinderance, and afforded no end of amusement. 

 They were never careful of the spiders' rights, and often 

 ran recklessly through an elaborately adjusted web. The 

 spiders never resented this ; not because they were afraid, 

 I think, but for the reason that they were powerless. Not 

 one was capable of effectively biting denser tissues than 

 those of insects. None, probably, either in the fields or 

 woods, are venomous. Some may be, but the danger has 

 in all cases been grossly exaggerated, and the common 

 fear of our spiders is not warranted by anything known 

 of these creatures as a class. 



One old lizard became exceedingly tame, and was my 

 tent companion for many days. Its fear of mankind van- 

 ished on the day of capture, and it was very glad to have 

 me offer it flies, which it took directly from my fingers. 

 I soon learned the reason it was not expert at catching 

 them. I saw it make many failures, and so I soothed its 

 disappointment frequently by catching them for it. I be- 

 came, therefore, associated with food in its mind, and so 

 gained its confidence. 



One afternoon I entered the tent suddenly and placed 

 a large dead garter-snake upon my table. I did not notice 

 the lizard at the time, but it was watching me, and no 

 sooner had I laid the serpent down than it darted behind 

 my mattress. I was not sure but this was a mere coinci- 

 dence, and brought it back to the table. The instant I 

 put it down uncontrollable fear possessed it, and its efforts 



