Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-02-17
Studies i'm Spiders.

From the Philadelphia Press.
Most readers Of the Press are donbtIess famil-
lar with the names of Mrs. Mary Treat. of Vine
land, N. j., whose studies In natural history
have been from time to time recorded in the
columns Of the monthly magazines and other
periodicals. A present Mrs. Treats observa-
tions are confined chiefly to spiders. Calling at
her cottagein the suburbs of this city, where
she is costly ''at home" in suit of sunshiny
apartments which she occupies alone,
found the spider lover-a cultured,
refined delicate little lady, whose hair is
lightly touched with gray-returning from
morning spent in an oak opening at short dis
lance In the rear of the house. Books and
papers, marked with the authors compIi-
ments," occupy the reading stand; in the sunny
bay-windOw microscope is stationed ready for
use; bright woods, gathered leaves, souvenirs
OF an autumn journey in the north adorns the
walls, and small table, placed at a sufficient
distance from the window to allow easy passage
around it, holds several large bouquets Of more
brilliancy than beauty.
'Those are not placed there to admire" she
says, In answer to the notice they call forth,
but to entice some spider, out in search of q
building site. Several have settled down to
business already. Would you like to take q
peep at them in their own domiciles?" moving
around the table with as much pride as though
1t was plush-embrOidered sun1ower she was
about to exhibit There is one of my especial
pets; isn't he beauty" There tie was-a
brown, hairy, long-legged fellow, sitting with
his knees doubled up, evidently waiting for
some fncautious visitor in the edible line to come
along and supply him with meat dinner.
How do they suDsist now that fly time ia
Over?" asked.
''Oh, I forage for Them" she answered.
when the weather is cold they eat nothing
There is colony Of them now under that bell
glass in the light; they have gone into winter
quarters. Sometimes they keep active the
winter through without food; but whenever DAYS
are sunny dinners are plenty, for throw open
doors and windows. set out some growing things
to make the room bright as possible, and the
Ties come buzzing In, and am able to harvest a
small crop. 1t is poor day when my spiders
and together cannot lure few unwary vic
tins into neat little trap. By moderate
strategy make the capture, and they put the
prisoners to DEATH"
''Is it true that they devour their knds"
sometimes. The male is henpecked fel-
low, and the female will eat him If she gets a
chance. Occasionally mother spider kills some
OF her numerous progeny to feed her remaining
ravenous brood of spderlings At one time |
brought up an entire family in bottle, and you
can have no idea how interesting found them
The babies, In astonishing numbers, swarm on
the mothers back and crawl over her body until
big enough to win, which Is not until they are
from four to six weeks old. At that time she
kicks, shakes or scrapes them of by the dozen.
housekeeping for themselves. It is amusing to
watch the mother feed her brood. 1 have ire,
quentlv offered her q nice plump fly, which she
accented eagerly, and Immediately several of
the little ones were hidden to the feast. Three
orfour would gather around and suck the Juices
while she held the dainty morsel for them.
When they had drawn plenty of they scampered
and new relay came up to lay hold of the It'd
''It is plain you do not share the popular an
tipathy to spiders, remarked endeavoring to
make satisfactory inspection and still maintain
a respectful distance from sprawly black crea-
ture that goes stalking about on some mysteri-
Gus errand connected with its spinning.
mo, have no antipathy for them" she says
warmly. ''They are pretty good companions
when one lives alone. 1 have spent several
years studying them here and in portions of
New England, cultivating their agriculture
closely, and yet feel that am only beginning
to know their ways. They are beginning to
know me and will take building material from
my hand when I offer it. spider lives several
years, and besides their domestic life, their
building and spinning and weaving, which are
beautifully and systematically carried on, there
are births and deaths to be chronicled, and curl
GUS characteristic traits which only the close
observer discovers"
The state auditor of Indiana was profane In
the presence of a policeman, who immediately