"Uncle Philip, this mask is any thing but handsome."
"Very true; but you know we agreed when we were talking about the bats to look at animals even if they were not handsome. And there is your poor little ugly insect that you thought it right to kill, the spider; did you know that the spider was a sailor, too?"
"No, indeed, Uncle Philip! Pray tell us of it, will you?"
"Yes; but wait a little, until we bring the boat's head right, for we are near the landing-place. So—now, boys, I am ready. There is a very large spider, about which not much is yet known, which actually builds a raft, for the purpose of getting its food more easily. You may see it sailing about upon the water, on a ball of weeds about three inches across, which is held together probably by small silk cords spun from itself; and the moment it sees an insect drowning, it leaves the raft, gets the insect, and then returns to eat it at leisure. If you frighten it, or it thinks danger is near, in an instant it is under the raft out of sight."
"Ah, this is a cunning spider, Uncle Philip."
"Not half so cunning, boys, as the one we talked of which built a door to its house. But here we are at land. Jump ashore, my lads, and give my respects to your fathers and mothers, when you get home."
"We will. Good day, Uncle Philip."
"Good day, boys. I shall be glad to see you next Saturday."