68 



INSECT MANUFACTURES. 



method of keeping the door shut. In some cases, 

 small hollows were formed round the interior edge 

 of the lid, into which the spider thrust its feet 

 when keeping guard. It is a curious fact, that 

 when several of these spiders enclosed in their 

 nests were kept as a matter of curiosity in a box 

 of earth, and the doors frequently opened to 



examine their pro- 

 ceedings, one or two 

 of them, as if wea- 

 ried at these repeated 

 interruptions, effect- 

 ually closed their 

 doors by weaving a 

 piece of silken tapes- 

 try, which was spread 

 over the interior of the opening, and rounded 

 like the inside of a thimble. This was so strongly 

 attached to the door and to the side walls, that 

 no opening could be made without destroying the 

 nest. 



It was long a matter of surprise to the observer 

 to find, that in the case of some nests, and not of 



SECTION OF NEST. 



