The Labyrinth Spider 



dreads the scoundrelly advent of the pick- 

 wallet; she provides for it and, to shield her- 

 self against it as far as possible, chooses a 

 hiding-place outside her dwelling, far re- 

 moved from the tell-tale web. When she 

 feels her ovaries ripen, she shifts her quarters; 

 she goes off at night to explore the neighbour- 

 hood and seek a less dangerous refuge. The 

 points selected are, by preference, the low 

 brambles drawing along the ground, keeping 

 their dense verdure during the winter and 

 crammed with dead leaves from the oaks hard 

 by. Rosemary-tufts, which gain in thickness 

 what they lose in height on the unfostering 

 Todk, suit her particularly. This is where I 

 usually find her nest, not without long seeking, 

 so well is it hidden. 



So far, there is no departure from current 

 usage. As the world is full of creatures on 

 the prowl for tender mouthfuls, every mother 

 has her apprehensions; she also has her nat- 

 ural wisdom, which advises her to establish 

 her femily in secret places. Very few neglect 

 this precaution ; each, in her own manner, con- 

 ceals the eggs she lays. 



In the case of the Labyrinth Spider, the 

 protection of die brood is complicated by 



3«) 



