THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. 191 



lance is awakened in an instant. With one bound it darts 

 to the gate, to which it hooks itself by half its claws, while 

 with the others it clings to the tapestry of its hole. If we 

 now, for curiosity's sake, gently raise the door, a slight re- 



96. The Mason-Spider, My gale ccementaria (Latreille), and Interior of its Dwelling. 



sistance is felt, and when it is half open we see the last 

 struggles of the spider and its threatening head ; it defends 

 its hearth to the last extremity. 1 



1 Several species of mason-spiders form nests of this kind. Among these are 

 the Mygale nidulans of Walckenaer, and the Mygale cratiens, or clay-kneader, of 

 Latreille. A nest supposed to belong to this insect was opened and shut several 



