Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1872-11-14
As Regards Spiders

Morally, the spider has a had reputa-
ton and is the subject OF many vile cpl
thets; but when compared with its ac-
cusers, it presents by no means a bad
case. The Araehnidian ethics are in
many respects strikingly c%oincident with
more ambitious Nystems. The spider
practices the virtues of industry, patience
and perseverance, under difficulties. The
female is an aifectionate 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. II 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 soon spies it, darts at it
almost iercely, and carries it off. when
The time comes for the little spiders 30
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 a
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
penetrate its cruelties on the ground of
difference of opinions. 1t is moved by
self-interest, the alleged basis Of all poli.i.
cal economy, The spider ''mrst i've,
you know" and it is a maxim with it TO
"look out for number one;'' while it has
a 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 10 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 a
necessary and righteous thing, and, as it
is jointly undertaken by men, women and
spiders, for purposes Of common beneti-
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 a position, is very apt
to Eight it out on that line, y or system Of
lines. till crowned with victory. But it
invests wal with no sentiment of glory"
does not dress it up with gilt and feathers,
nor use its passions as political stock IN
trade. Sundry ~misanthropes have Claim
ed for the spider a standard of virtue
higher than the human, but truth com
pels us to drag the spider down to
the human level-it does kill itsown kind.
Habit not been for this habit, men would
have long ago cnslayed the spider to the
silk business. 1t is again claimed that the
spider is a cannibal, and, having killed
his fellow-CitiZens, proceeds to deyOur
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-
cupicd with tender feelings. 1t is true
that loveand cOurtship in the Arachnidian
world are apt to be tragical. These
creatures are quite too literal in their
construction of the phrases, You will
kill me with your GOODNESS, :" Love me OF
| die - but, in a higher sphere, does not
love OliGn NGCO}lS II biOoQy uuSLlteS ol
suicide and murder? Yet to the honor OF
humanity be it said, spiders do one thing
which our sort do not; they kill then
lovers, and then eat them up OF the spot.
In many species the male is much smaller
than the female, and with these courtshiF
is perllous. The female of the garden
spider is q perfect Amazon, and, when
she happens to object to the attentions Of
her intended spouse, he has to fly for his
life q feat which he generally performs
by Hinging himself like lightning out Of
the web, and lowering himself to TIC
earth by his silken ladder .-I3pa4d1