GROUND SPIDERS. 119 



pursued by an enemy, can shut the door tightly, and 

 hold it fast with its two front pairs of legfc It inserts 

 its claws into holes made near the edge of the door, and 

 braces itself so firmly against the walls of its tube, and 

 holds on with such pertinacity, that the cover cannot 

 be raised without tearing it. 



These curious nests are often brought from Southern 

 California, but the spiders which construct them do not 

 take kindly to confinement, at least in the North. 



