required is the miner's short-handled pick,
wherewith to drive hard, to insert, to lever and to extract; what is
required is the sharp point that enters the earth and crumbles it into
fragments. There remain the Lycosa's fangs, delicate weapons which we at
first hesitate to associate with such work, so illogical does it seem to
dig a pit with surgeon's scalpels.

The fangs are a pair of sharp, curved points, which, when at rest, crook
like a finger and take shelter between two strong pillars. The Cat
sheathes her claws under the velvet of the paw, to preserve their edge
and sharpness. In the same way, the Lycosa protects her poisoned daggers
by folding them within the case of two powerful columns, which come plumb
on the surface and contain the muscles that work them.

Well, this surgical outfit, intended for stabbing the jugular artery of
the prey, suddenly becomes a pick-axe and does rough navvy's work. To
witness the underground digging is impossible; but we can, at least, with
the exercise of a little patience, see the rubbish carted away. If I
watch my captives, without tiring, at a very early hour--for the work
takes place mostly at night and at long intervals--in the end I catch
them coming up with a load. Contrary to what I expected, the legs take
no part in the carting. It is the mouth that acts as the barrow. A tiny
ball of earth is held between the fangs and is supported by the palpi, or
feelers, which are little arms employed in the service of the
mouth-parts. The Lycosa descends cautiously from her turret, goes to
some distance to get rid of her burden and quickly dives down again to
bring up more.

We have seen enough: we know that the Lycosa's fangs, those lethal
weapons, are not afraid to bite into clay and gravel. They knead the
excavated rubbish into pellets, take up the mass of earth and carry it
outside. The rest follows naturally; it is the fangs that dig, delve and
extract. How finely-tempered they must be, not to be blunted by this
well-sinker's work and to do duty presently in the surgical operation of
stabbing the neck!

I have said that the repairs and extensions of the burrow are made at
long intervals. From time to time, the circular parapet receives
additions and becomes a little higher; less frequently still, the
dwelling is enlarged and deepened. As a rule, the mansion remains as it
was for a whole season. Towards the end of winter, in March more than at
any other period