The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1883-08-21
SINS OF THE SPIDERS.
Dark Deeds of Web-W eaving
Wretches and Their Unscrupu-
loue Wives-Without Valor
or Shame.
Philadelphia Times.

society for the prevention of cruelty t.
animals of this city, have done gooc
work. but the impression is fast gain
ing ground that there is a great field
yet open for these philanthropists,
namely, the protection IF animals from
animals. Chief among these brute
sinners against their kind are the in
sects of the family Araneides and
class Arachnida, vulgarly known as
spiders. Through all time the name
has been synonym for the possessor
ofavarice, cruelty and craft. A story
of such unparalleled atrocity and in
gratitude On the part of one spider to
another came to this city yesterday
from New York that Times reporter
was sent to the residence of Rev. DR..
Henry c. McCook. the celebrated au-
thority on spiders, to inquire into its
probability. The narrative declared
that large Verdham spider had ell
tangled an unsuspecting beetle in his
net, and finding that the prowe<s Of
that worthy burgess far overmatched
his strength, was obliged 10 seek help
from a spider-thug who resided in
neigh boring web. The diaholicai pu--
pose of the pair pitilessly accomplished
and the unfortunate beetle-victim
dead, the first assailant, larger than
his partner in villainy. turned upon
the latter and hurled him from the
web to the ground, violating the holy
sentiment of gratitude, the sacred duty
of hospitality and even the provero-
ial honor among cut-throals and
thieves.
1.-The kind of spider that would as
sail as large an insect as beetle" said
the ma uralist, els probably the tube
weaving, medicinal spider, a prepa-
ration ofwhose web is used in the cure
of intermittent fevers. Probably.
however. in this case, the smaller
spider, instead of having been brought
by his fellow to assist in the murder,
was attracted by the commotion in
the neighhoring web. and when its
owner retired undertook to finish the |
enterprise himself. say this because
lof the solitary habits of the spider,
(which would never lead him to seek
assistance. They dwell so much alone
that not even man and wife live to-
gether. What is most remarkable to
Inc in the story is the fact that the
larger spider did not kill and eat the
smaller one. as they frequently prey
upon one another. He was lucky to
escape with fall
Here the naturalist told a story of
such depraved cruelty on the part of
spiders, and particularly the gentler
sex of spiders, that its repetition must
clearly show the necessity of some
measures of protection for the worse
than hen-pecked mates of these
insects.
, Owing to the above mentioned soil
tary and recluse habits of these morose ,
and unsocial creatures, the husband
and wife dwell in separate webs. and
the former, when he wishes to behold
the faces of his offspring or to consult s
about summer clothes, new roof on
the kitchen extension or a defect in s
the bathroom plumbing. is compelled
to visit the private mansion of his e
wife, who is in every case from twice /
to ten times as big as himself Att
such times be will do we'll to keen 3 Z
watchful eye on the district tele-
craps police call, for history abounds s.
IN well-authenticated cases in which i,
IN Inflated spider has been killed and
'aten by his vicious and giganti D
'pouse. to whom he was help-meat,
indeed. So wretched is the condj- f,
ion of these pitiahle heads of families
hat their subsistence is almost entire Sc
= derived from the crumbs a d refuse ~
the portions of effete cockroaches
nd superannuated lady-bugs that pi
all from the sumptuous boards of
heir arrogan partners. There was ca
n instance cited to the reporter by
DR.. McCook, in which a ci:igrade or O,
wift-stepping water spider, had
augbt a minnow three times as I'll
,ng and four times as heavy as itself
here is al0o authority. verified by no W
IS person than j. Proctor Knott.
Kentucky. in a letter to DR.. Nc. W
ook, accompanied by sketch of the of
Iprder for the state, in Louisville
spider entangled mouse in his web te
nd left him hanging by the tail. head
Onward, until the attention of some m
umanitarians was attracted, not, how i'm
yer, before the unhappy mouse had tn
Itered a death of lingering agony
ON congestion of the brain. After ris
rs if evolution be fact, man him.
1t may with justice, fear the rancu- KIN