ase with the
_Pompilius_, according to Goureau,[80] who has studied it. This insect
nourishes its larvae with spiders; it seems certain that in most cases
the spider is not pricked. Victims who have been taken from the
interior of provision burrows can live for a long time in spite of
their wounds; they cannot, therefore, have received venom by
inoculation. The author already quoted believes that the Pompilius
seizes its captive by the pedicle which unites the abdomen to the
cephalothorax, and that it triturates this point between its jaws.
From this either death or temporary immobility may follow. The
_Pompilius_ also makes up for its relative ignorance by considerable
ingenuity. Thus sometimes, when it fears a return to life of the
victim destined for its larvae, it cuts off the legs while it is still
passive. Goureau has found in the nest of this insect living spiders
with their legs cut off.

[80] "Observations pour servir a l'histoire de quelques
Insectes," _Ann. Soc. entomol. de France_, t. 8, 1839, p. 541.

CHAPTER VI.

DWELLINGS.

ANIMALS NATURALLY PROVIDED WITH DWELLINGS--ANIMALS WHO
INCREASE THEIR NATURAL PROTECTION BY THE ADDITION OF FOREIGN
BODIES--ANIMALS WHO ESTABLISH THEIR HOME IN THE NATURAL OR
ARTIFICIAL DWELLINGS OF OTHERS--CLASSIFICATION OF ARTIFICIAL
SHELTERS--HOLLOWED DWELLINGS--RUDIMENTARY
BURROWS--CAREFULLY-DISPOSED BURROWS--BURROWS WITH BARNS
ADJOINED--DWELLINGS HOLLOWED OUT IN WOOD--WOVEN
DWELLINGS--RUDIMENTS OF THIS INDUSTRY--DWELLINGS FORMED OF
COARSELY-ENTANGLED MATERIALS--DWELLINGS WOVEN OF FLEXIBLE
SUBSTANCES--DWELLINGS WOVEN WITH GREATER ART--THE ART OF
SEWING AMONG BIRDS--MODIFICATIONS OF DWELLINGS ACCORDING TO
SEASON AND CLIMATE--BUILT DWELLINGS--PAPER NESTS--GELATINE
NESTS--CONSTRUCTIONS BUILT OF EARTH--SOLITARY MASONS--MASONS
WORKING IN ASSOCIATION--INDIVIDUAL SKILL AND
REFLECTION--DWELLINGS BUILT OF HARD MATERIALS UNITED BY
MORTAR--THE DAMS OF BEAVERS.

Animals construct dwellings either to protect themselves from the
cold, heat, rain, and other chances of the weather, or to retire to at
moments when the search for food does not compel them to be outside
and exposed to the attacks of enemies. Some inhabit these refuges
permanently; others only remain there during the winter; others,
again, who live during the rest of the year in the open air set up
dwellings to bring forth their young, or to la