The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1883-10-24
THE HOME OF THE TARANTULA

yesterday shown by Col. George Soule,
one of the most extraordinary of the
curiosities of this world.
The writer is aware Of the fact that
it wus the little nautilus" that taught
man to use the wind as a propelling
power, and that it was the little cant"
that educated him in sanitary laws, and
showed him how to build pyramids and
showed him how to build pyramids and
chamber them. In his boyhood days
he watched the despised "ants" labor
in swarms of thousands, each one ap-
parently doing its share to build up a
home and resting place and storehouse,
And although their little hillock would
at first be so small that lady's thin
BILE would cover it, yet in six months
that little mound would be one foot or
more in diameter at the base and equal
that in height. ! hope the reader will
pardon short depression. Suppose
man was to build mound of equal
height in porpotion to his statue? How
few stop to think or care that he would
have to build it over 1000 feet higher
than the highest pyramid in Egypt.
It was the spider-the little despised
spider-that taught man how to spin
and weave; but, with all his reasoning
powers and ingenuity man has never
yet been able to spin so fine thread
or weave SO fine web as his teacher.
But to return to the tarantula's home,
cell or den, (call it which you wish) it
is a curiosity worthy the study OF any
mechanic orscientist. Those who have
either as men or boys hunted these ug-
ly little creatures, have until recently
been puzzled by its sudden and appar-
emily miraculous Disappearance when
running at full speed, in full view, and
on some spot where no crack or hole
could possibly be found; but if any
one will go and will not only find a
solution of the mystery, but wonder
full evidence of insect ingenuity.
This curiosity is about the size Of
mans thumb, the upper end stand
ing perpendicular when in the ground,
while the body curves graceful, bring
ing the lower portion nearly horizon
tai the wall is from / to 3 inches in
thickness, and built ola waterproof ce-
ment that would make the most learn
ed plasterer or cementer in America
blush with shame the outside is rough,
and even lumpy, but the inside surface
is smoother than silk, or the finest
gas iuAi ever maze.
Wien the little architect has finish
ed level with the surface of the ground
around it and of precisely the same
color; on the top end, which is about
3 of an inch in diameter, is cover or
lid, with hinge at one side of it; and
this hinge would puzzle the wisest of
mechanics; the lid fits on to the top of
the chamber-as the valve OF steam
engine does on the valve seat with diff
ference, that the seat at the top is
slightly concave, while the edge of the
valve or lid is correspondingly convex
and so closely do the two fit together
that the joint cannot be perceived by
the eye of man.
The hinges of the oyster and mussle
family are made and grown by nature
the same as joints are in animals, but
here is detested and feared little tar
antula, which can excel man in MAX
ing hinges and fitting valves, and may
have taught him the art, since in an
eient times he was a close neighbor
and fellow citizen of old Archimedes.
When the tarantula is pursued Or alarm
ed, he runs to his home, lifts the lid
and disappears, the lid falling of its
own weight, and then the inexperienc-
ed may search in vain for the place of
retreat.