362 



INSECT ARCHITECTURE. 



in depth, and of a diameter (equal throughout) suf- ' 

 ficient to admit of her easily passing. She lines this 

 with a tapestry of silk, glued to the walls. Tlie door, 

 which is circular, is constructed of many layers pf 

 earth kneaded, and bound together with slk. Ex- 

 ternally, it is flat and rough, corresponding to the 

 earth around the entrance, for the purpose, no doubt, 

 of concealment: oni the inside it is convex, and ta- 

 pestried thickly with a web of fine silk. The threads 

 of this door-tapestry are prolonged, and strongly at- 

 tached to the upper side of the entrance, forming an 

 excellent hinge, which, when pushed open by the 

 spider, shuts again by its own weight, without the 



A. The nest shut. B. Tlu 

 D. The eyes magnifisd. 



( of the M<cson-S/,ida: 



iiesi open. C. The spider, mys^ale ctentrntmir. 

 E, F. Parts of the foot and claw magniiiud. 



