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PROCURING FOOD AND FEEDING. 257 
back and forward like a group of children upon a seesaw, without being 
the least disturbed. Next morning I found that all the trussed up insects 
except one had disappeared; one (which I easily identified) remained in its 
former position, and even then several of the little Diptera were perched 
upon the carcass, apparently feeding. In the jaws of the spider was a 
swathed carcass, and even on that, as the spider held it within her mouth 
feeding upon it, were at least two of the little flies engaged with 
the greatest sang froid at their meal under the very jaws of 
their ferocious adversary! In the meantime a third fly was 
perched upon the middle of the abdomen of the spider herself, 
apparently enjoying the situation. Two days afterward I found the same 
curious state of things. It may be that the very diminutiveness of these 
creatures was their protection, especially as food was so abundant. It was 
certainly amusing, however, to see this seeming challenge of destiny. A 
few hours thereafter I saw one (or one of the same species) of these reck- 
less Diptera trussed up near the spot where it had lately fed, although it 
was probably not eaten. 
The same behavior was subsequently observed on several occasions and 
on different individuals; so that it was not the result of special sluggish- 
ness or personal peculiarity. Once, when a dozen or more of these little 
Diptera were hanging upon an enswathed captive, I saw Argiope brush 
away with her fore feet several that were crowding about her face. The 
action was most impatient—even angry—but none of the annoying and 
impudent intruders were hurt. On another occasion I observed two of the 
flies apparently held in the jaws of the spider. My first thought was that 
they had ventured too close, had been snapped up, and were being eaten 
by their giant hostess. But upon touching the point of my pencil to them, 
they at once disproved my theory by drawing back a little space and shak- 
ing themselves. They had not only ventured between Argiope’s palps, but 
had pushed up to the very jaws, and were sipping the juices squeezed out 
by those organs! It was certainly a curious illustration of the old and 
famous riddle, “out of the eater came forth meat.” (See Fig. 237.) I had 
never expected to see the spider and the flies peacefully feeding together 
upon the same carcass, but in nature, as in social life, it is often “the un- 
expected that happens.” 
Flies Ban- 
quet with 
a Spider. 
Il. 
The efforts of spiders to take their prey are not destitute of adven- 
tures, sometimes of a very serious sort, sometimes approaching the ludi- 
; crous. For example, I chanced to get a sight of Argiope coph- 
\ Mota inaria just as she had captured a large honey bee and had 
begun to swathe it. I watched the struggles of the insect with 
interest, and found that the spider got the better of her antagonist very 
rapidly. Around and around the excited bee the swathing bands wound, 
