A MASTERLY BRIGAND 165 
was ever quicker at catching a mouse than the 
spiderling is in pursuit of its prey. 
“ The carpenter-bee and a species of wasp 
known as the tarantula-killer are the Lycosidce’s 
worst enemies. The latter is a large black wasp 
with reddish-brown wings. It paralyzes the spi¬ 
der, instead of killing it outright, then calmly 
lays an egg upon it, and buries the living relic in 
a hole five inches deep. When the egg hatches, 
the baby wasp feeds upon its ingenious ‘ cradle/ 
till it is fully grown and ready to dig its way out. 
“ The Lycosa’s stomach is as accommodating 
as that of a camel. It can gorge itself one day 
and go without another meal for an indefinite 
period. Fabre says that he often neglected to 
feed the Lycosas in his laboratory for weeks at a 
time, and could never tell that they were the 
worse for it. When food was finally offered 
them, however, they fully came up to the old 
maxim, ‘ ravenous as a wolf/ 
“ The retreat or stronghold of the Lycosa is 
not built until it marries and sets up housekeep¬ 
ing. By and by there will be a host of babies to 
care for, and Madam Lycosa will find plenty to 
do without indulging in foot races and gymnas¬ 
tics for her livelihood. So a well or burrow is 
sunk into the earth, anywhere from six inches to 
a foot in depth, and sometimes nearly an inch in 
diameter. This is usually lined with a thin film 
