SPIDERS. 59 



jerked it rapidly, to learn if the owner was at 

 the centre. Neither of them could trust their 

 sight for that distance. The vigilant proprie- 

 tress seemed to know at once that this was no 

 struggling fly or moth. There was an unmis- 

 takable defiant twang of the web that told an- 

 other story. Her rights were evidently being 

 invaded. She would have twanged the spokes 

 herself had it been a victim, to make sure of 

 the impression, but now she ran straight to the 

 intruder. He hesitated, but concluded to fight. 

 They were bent on biting. Each of them sparred 

 for a chance to seize the other by a leg, and as 

 there were sixteen between the two, it was 

 rather spry work to take care of them. After 

 a fierce round of a half-minute the female drove 

 him to the outside ropes of the web. At that 

 point each one lost a leg, but like 



" Worthington, of doleful dumps, 

 Who when his legs were smitten off, 

 He fought upon his stumps," 



they did not appear to notice their loss. They 

 would withdraw from a grapple for a few sec- 

 onds and then renew the combat. In one of 

 these mind-collecting moments the female made 

 a dash for the centre of the web and gathered 

 herself sulkingly into a vigilant attitude. The 

 male followed a bit into the disputed territory, 



