362 



INSECT ARCHITECTURE. 



found in the south of France, usually selects fur her nest 

 a place bare of grass, sloping in such a manner as to 

 carry off the water, and of a firm soil, without rocks 

 or small stones. She digs a gallery a foot or two 

 in depth, and of a diameter (equal throughout) suf- 

 ficient to admit of her easily passing. She lines this 

 with a tapestry of silk glued to the walls. The door, 

 which is ciicular, is constructed of many layers of 

 earth kneaded, and bound together with silk. Ex- 

 ternally, it is flat and rough, corresponding to the 

 earth around the entrance, for the purpose, no doubt, 

 of concealment : on the inside it is convex, and ta- 

 pestried thickly with a web of fine silk. The threads 



Nest of the Mason-Spider. 



A. The neat slmt. B. The nest open. C. Tho spider, mi/gnle cammttlrUt. 



D. The eyes magnified. E, F. l'arts of the foot anil claw magnified. 



