The Narbonne Lycosa: The Burrow 



and take shelter between two strong pillars. 

 The Cat sheathes her claws under the velvet 

 of the paw, to preserve their edge and sharp- 

 ness. In the same way, the Lycosa protects 

 her poisoned daggers by folding them within 

 the case of two powerful columns, which 

 come plumb on the surface and contain the 

 muscles that work them. 



Well, this surgical outfit, intended for 

 stabbing the jugular artery of the prey, sud- 

 denly becomes a pick-axe and does rough 

 na^-v■y"s work. To witness the underground 

 dicing is impossible; but we can, at least, 

 with the exercise of a little patience, see the 

 rubbish carted away. If I watch my cap- 

 tives, without tiring, at a ven,' early hour — 

 for the work takes place mostly at ni^t and 

 at long inter\-als — in the end I catch them 

 coming up with a load. Contrary to what I 

 exf>ected, the legs take no part in the carting. 

 It is Ae mouth that acts as the barrow. A 

 tiny ball of earth is held between the fangs 

 and is supported by the palpi, or feelers, 

 Tvfaich are little arms employed in the 

 service of the mouth-parts. The Lycosa 

 descends cautiously from her turret, goes 

 to some distance to get rid of her burden 

 145 



