THE DIVING SPIDER. 55 



spreads over her belly a pellicle of the same material, and 

 ascends to the surface " to inhale and carry down a supply of 

 atmospheric fluid. Head downwards, and with her body, all 

 but the spinneret, still submersed, our diver (by a process 

 which does not seem precisely ascertained) introduces a bubble 

 of air beneath the pellicle which surrounds her. " Clothed 

 in this aerial mantle, which to the spectator seems formed of 

 resplendent quicksilver, she then plunges to the bottom, and 

 with as much dexterity as a chemist transfers gas with a 

 gas-holder, introduces her bubble of air beneath the roof pre- 

 pared for its reception ; this manoeuvre is ten or twelve times 

 repeated, and when she has transported sufficient air to expand 

 her apartment to its intended extent, she possesses an aerial 

 edifice, an enchanted palace, where, unmoved by storms, she 

 devours her prey at ease/' Fancy-woven from the foregoing 

 description is the Fairy Tale which forms the subject of the 

 next episode. 



" 3CH |cem Sent upon agcengton.' 



