190 THE UNIVERSE. 



cavated in the ground, and perfectly cylindrical. All the in- 

 terior is tapestried, and in this part of the work the mason- 

 spider imitates the decorator, who places only a coarse 

 material next the wall, and afterwards covers it with rich 

 hangings. The spider also makes use of a double layer : the 

 one, which it fixes upon the rough earthen wall of its sub- 

 terranean hole, is thick and negligently wrought ; the other, 

 which is placed over this, is, on the contrary, woven with its 

 finest silk, and skilfully hung. 



The entrance to the habitation is closed as hermetically 

 as it can possibly be by a little door or lid, the lower side of 

 which is slightly convex and furnished with a cushion of 

 silk, whilst the upper part is made of the same materials as 

 the soil, in such a manner that when the insect is inclosed 

 within its abode, nothing without reveals its existence. 

 This door itself is a little masterpiece of finish and patience. 

 The mason-spider (My gale) possesses the knowledge of the 

 miner, but in no degree that of the joiner or potter ; hence 

 it learns from its own resources to barricade its refuge. 

 The solid lid which serves it for this purpose is composed of 

 layers of silk, between each of which is found a layer of 

 earth. When the task is completed, forty alternate layers 

 of silk and earth can be counted, and it is with the first, 

 which extend from the soil to the door, that the little elas- 

 tic hinge is formed. 



When the spider wants to issue forth it lifts this mova- 

 ble cover, and when it reenters its underground abode it 

 shuts up its trap-door close, and sleeps in security. But 

 should any noise, any shaking, intimate that an attempt is 

 being made to violate the sanctity of its dwelling its vigi- 



