GROUND SPIDERS. 1H 



She becomes timid, and runs out of sight at my ap- 

 proach. But after a while she comes up and begins to 

 investigate matters. She examines the various things 

 scattered over the surface. Now she finds the long 

 legs of a grasshopper, and concludes these will do to- 

 wards erecting another tower. I do not offer her any 

 fresh sticks or moss, but let her work with what she 

 can find. She comes across a moth about an inch in 

 length which she has rejected as food, and it is stiff and 

 dry ; so she utilizes it by working it in with the other 

 material. She is a persevering builder, and in about 

 two hours has reared her domicile half an inch above 

 the surface. 



I refairn the tower, which is so firmly made that it 

 has not been injured by the transportation, and place 

 it in position as nearly as I can. Very soon tins wise 

 architect comprehends the situation. She sees where 

 the welding must be made, and holds the tower firm- 

 ly in place, pressing against it with her body, while 

 round and round she goes, securing it with a strong 

 web. 



Satisfied with its stability, she takes her position on 

 the top, sitting there very complacently, evidently ex- 

 pecting to be furnished witli flies, which by this time 

 — the last of November — it is no easy matter to pro- 

 cure. But occasionally there comes a warm, sunny day, 

 when flies are on the wing ; and now opening the door, 

 a number are sure to come in and fly to the windows, 

 where I easily capture them. They are much larger 



