SPIDKKS. 355 



(see page 322). We observed this spider for several 

 months, but at last it disappeared, and we took the 

 nest out, under the notion that it might contain eggs ; 

 bnt we found none, and therefore conclude that it 

 was only used as a day-retreat.* The account which 

 Evelyn has given of these hunting-spiders is so 

 interesting, that we must transcribe it. 



" Of all sorts of insects," says he, " there is none 

 has afforded me more divertisement than the vena- 

 tores (hunters), which are a sort of iwpi (wolves) that 

 have their dens in rugged walls and crevices of our 

 houses ; a small brown and delicately-spotted kind 

 of spiders, whose hinder legs are longer than the 

 rest. Such I did frequently observe at Rome, which, 

 espying a fly at three or four yards' distance, upon 

 the balcony where I stood, would not make directly 

 to her, but crawl under the rail, till being arrived to 

 the antipodes, it would steal up, seldom missing its 

 aim ; but if it chanced to want anything of being 

 perfectly opposite, would, at first peep, immediately 

 slide down again, — till taking better notice, it would 

 come the next time exactly upon the fly's back : but 

 if this happened not to be within a competent leap, 

 then would this insect move so softly, as the very 

 shadow of the gnomon seemed not to be more im- 

 perceptible, unless the fly moved ; and then would 

 the spider move also in the same proportion, keeping 

 that just time with her motion, as if the same soul 

 had animated both these little bodies ; and whether 

 it were forwards, backwards, or to either side, with- 

 out at all turning her body, like a well managed horse : 

 but if the capricious fly took wing and pitched upon 

 another place behind our huntress, then would the 

 spider whirl its body so nimbly about, as nothing 

 could be imagined more swift : by which means she 

 always kept the head towards her prey, though, to 

 appearance, as immoveable as if it had been a nail 

 *J. It. 



