on the proper
building-materials, or, lastly, because architectural talent is
possibly declared only in individuals that have reached the final
stage, the period of perfection of their physical and intellectual
development.

'One thing is certain, that I have had numerous opportunities of
seeing these shafts, these out-works of the Tarantula's abode; they
remind me, on a larger scale, of the tubes of certain Caddis-worms.
The Arachnid had more than one object in view in constructing them:
she shelters her retreat from the floods; she protects it from the
fall of foreign bodies which, swept by the wind, might end by
obstructing it; lastly, she uses it as a snare by offering the Flies
and other insects whereon she feeds a projecting point to settle on.
Who shall tell us all the wiles employed by this clever and daring
huntress?

'Let us now say something about my rather diverting Tarantula-hunts.
The best season for them is the months of May and June. The first
time that I lighted on this Spider's burrows and discovered that they
were inhabited by seeing her come to a point on the first floor of her
dwelling--the elbow which I have mentioned--I thought that I must
attack her by main force and pursue her relentlessly in order to
capture her; I spent whole hours in opening up the trench with a knife
a foot long by two inches wide, without meeting the Tarantula. I
renewed the operation in other burrows, always with the same want of
success; I really wanted a pickaxe to achieve my object, but I was too
far from any kind of house. I was obliged to change my plan of attack
and I resorted to craft. Necessity, they say, is the mother of
invention.

'It occurred to me to take a stalk, topped with its spikelet, by way
of a bait, and to rub and move it gently at the orifice of the burrow.
I soon saw that the Lycosa's attention and desires were roused.
Attracted by the bait, she came with measured steps towards the
spikelet. I withdrew it in good time a little outside the hole, so as
not to leave the animal time for reflexion; and the Spider suddenly,
with a rush, darted out of her dwelling, of which I hastened to close
the entrance. The Tarantula, bewildered by her unaccustomed liberty,
was very awkward in evading my attempts at capture; and I compelled
her to enter a paper bag, which I closed without delay.