118 PEARLS AND PEBBLES. 



lake to look for ferns, fresh water shells and other 

 curiosities. 



One morning my eye was attracted by a ball of 

 yellowish silk hanging in the middle of a soft maple 

 bush, growing in the clefts of a fissure in the limestone 

 rock. 



The ball was about the size of a pigeon's egg, and was 

 held in its place by a number of strong lines. On touch- 

 ing one of these with my finger, out rushed some dozens 

 of small spiders, and from the bottom of the bush, to 

 which several of the threads were attached, came a large 

 black spider of formidable appearance and unusual 

 fierceness of aspect. 



Up she hurried to the rescue of her brood, examining 

 the nest and lines with great care. Finding nothing 

 injured in the cradle-bed and its fastenings, she ordered 

 the frightened little ones back to their nest, and as soon 

 as she saw them safely housed, retired slowly to her 

 post at the foot of the bush. This time, however, she 

 took the precaution to place herself facing the ball and 

 its contents, that she might the better keep a vigilant 

 outlook for the enemy. 



I confess that curiosity tempted me to renew the 

 attack just to see what the mother would do, so I again 

 touched one of the strings. The vibration was communi- 

 cated to the mother as the little spiders again ran out, 

 which instantly had the effect of bringing her up to their 

 help. 



