THE SPIDER. 117 



brown or black spider, and her greatest merit is the 

 tender care she takes of her embryo, unhatched 

 family. 



There is another species, known by Old Country 

 folks as the "Nursing Spider." She also carries her 

 precious eggs in a fine yellow silk pouch, attached to 

 herself by strings. The load is so nicely balanced that 

 she can move quickly about without being in the least 

 incommoded by it. 



When the tiny things are hatched they follow their 

 mother in a long train, each fastened to her by a silken 

 thread. Where she goes, they go. They are of a bright 

 reddish color and are very lively. 



The old mother is by no means a disagreeable-looking 

 creature ; her body is about the size of a small garden 

 pea, of a light yellow brown color. 



It used to be a great source of amusement to me to 

 watch the motherly care this amiable spider took of her 

 numerous family when travelling over the flower borders. 

 If one of them lagged behind or seemed disorderly, she 

 came to a halt till they all assumed the regular marching 

 position. What the word of command was, who could 

 tell ? But however it was given, it had the desired effect 

 of restoring order. 



A few years ago, when camping out with a party of 



friends on a picturesque and rocky island in Lovesick 



Lake, while the younger members of our party were 



bathing, I used to ramble along the rocky margin of the 



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