Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1872-11-15
As Regards Spiders.

Morally, the spider has bad reputa-
tien and is the subject of many vile cpl
thets; but when compared with its ac-
cusers, it presents by no. means bad
case. The Arachnidian ethics are in
many respects strikingly coincident with
more ambitious systems. The spider
practices the virtues of industry, patience
and perseverance, under difficulties. The
female is an affectionate parent, and very
fond of her young. About June the gar
den.spider makes up her little packet of
eggs, and incloses them in a snow.white
silken envelope, and carries it about with
her wherever she goes. If it is forcibly
removed she remains on the spot, hunt
ing in every direction, and evidently in
great DISTRESS and if the white ball be
laid near her she sosn spies it, darts at it
almost fiercely, and carries it of. when
the time comes for the little spiders to
make their appearance in the world, the
mother tears open the envelope, and SO
aids her young to escape. AS soon as
they are fairly out of the egg, they trans
fer themselves TO the body of their parent,
where they cling in such numbers that
she is hardly visible under her swarming
brood. They remain with their mother
through the winter, and the following
spring the bonds of mutual affection are
loosened, and the young disperse to seek
their own living" If the spider is
skillful hunter and an ingenious
trapper, SO are the heroes
of many novels; but the animal
has not yet been known to indulge its
predacious practices in tie way of mere
wanton sport. 1t is merciless and cruel,
like inquisitors and tyrants, but does not
perpetrate its cruelties on the ground of
difference of opinions. It is moved by
selfinterest, the alleged basis of all politi-
cal economy. The spider must live,
you know" and il is a maxim with it to
"look out for number one;" while it has
high appreciation of the advantages of
corner lots," but in all this it is by no
means singular. Besides, the spider con-
tributes its share to the general veal.
| What would this world come to, if the
| flies could have their own way in it with
out let or hindrance? Killing flies is
necessary and righteous thing, and, as it
| is jointly undertaken by men, women and
spiders, for purposes of common benef-
cence, each should have an aliquot share
of the honor. The spider is also cour-
ageous and soldierly. He is fond of war,
and, having taken position, is very apt
to flight it out on that line" +" or system of
| lines, till crowned with victory. But it
invests war with no sentiment of GLORY"
does not dress it up with gilt and feathers,
nor use its passions as political stock III
trade. Sundry misanthropes have claim
ed for the spider q standard of virtue
| higher than the human, but truth COM
pels us to drag the spider down to
the human level-it does kill its own kind.
Had it not been for this habit, men would
have long ago enslaved the spider to the
! silk business. 1t is again claimed that the
spider is cannibal, and, having killed
his fellow-citizens, proceeds to devour
them. But here, again, the spider can
claim no originality, and is but an humble
imitator of the lords of creation. 1t has,
moreover, been accused of practicing
murder under very delicate circum-
stances, when its mind should only be oc-
cupied with tender feelings. 1t is true
that love and courtship in the Arachnidian
world are apt to be tragical. These
creatures are quite too literal in their
construction of the phrases, "You will
| kin me with your coldness," "Love me or
l die !" but, in a higher sphere, does not
love often become bloody business of
suicide and murder? Yet 10 the honor of
humanity be it said, spiders do one thing
which our sort do not; they kill their
lovers, and then eat them up on the spot.
In many species the male is much smaller
than the female, and with these courtship
is perilous. The female of the garden
spider is a perfect Amazon, and, when
she happens to object to the attentions of
her intended spouse, he has to-tiy for his
life; a feat which he generally performs
by fiinging himself like lightning out of
the web, and lowering himself to the
earth by his silken ladder. Popular
Science Monthly.