The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1884-08-07
The Tarantula of Southern California.

Ugly, vicious, energetic, and, to a
certain degree, poisonous, are the spi-
ders that infest the southern part OF
California, and yet when closely studied
they present many peculiar character
istics, both in regard to their structure
and habits. Among the most valued
trophies tourists carry away with them
from the coast are neat cards adorned
with these animals, and case contain
ing thesnest so as to show its wonderful
trap-door and the delicate lining of the
interior. The adobe ranches are full of
these strange little habitations, and
some of the sunny valleys among the
foothills are literally strewn with the
small tunnels, capped with the almost
invisible door.
The legs of the tarantula are larger.
and are not furnished with so long and
dense Il growth of hair as are the speci-
mems found in other sections of the
Southwestern States. The back is Gov
cred very thickly with extremely fine
short hair; the back and the outer joints
of the legs are of a light brown color,
the remainder being of a deeper shade.
The forward part of the head is divided,
and each division terminates in a sharp,
downwardly-curv and jet black horn
or hook.
The tarantula pounces upon his pre- y,
and, thrusting in the hooks, most Sc
curely holds his victim. 1t is seldom
met in the daytime, preferring to seek
its food during the night, returning to
its nest in the early morning. Although
pugnacious when cOrnered, he will not
seek a fight, and is more anxious to es-
cape the stranger whom he chances to
meet.
This tarantula is Justly celebrated for
the architectural skill he displays and
for the luxurious comfort of his dwell
ling. Having selected a suitable site,
he digs a hole varying from four 10
eighteen inches in depth, and just large
enough around to admit him easily. al
though it is puzzling to conceive how
he ever gets his long, ungainly and
many jointed legs Comfortably dis
posed in so small a space.
The walls are carefully smoothed,
and are completely covered with an ex-
ceedingly fine fabric of his own manu-
facture. The top of this tunnel is
slightly Jared, and in this widened part
is fitted the door. which is hinged at
one side so that it may he easily lifted.
The inside of the door is finely finished,
and covered with web similar TO that
on the sides. The tarantula knows that
CnlS door is nO5 neaFy enough 10 insure
tight fit when it is dropped, so he
makes a small handle near the center
of the under side by which he pulls the
door closely down, thereby insuring a
joint that most effectually excludes all
dampness from his abode. The handle
is a Strong web, the two ends of which
are attached to the door at points about
one-sixteenth of an inch apart. The
outside of the door is placed about at
the level of the ground and is so near
ly the same color as the surrounding
soil that it can be discovered only after
the most careful search, The joint of
the door is so well made and the colors
are so nearly alike that it is almost i'm
possible to as certain upon which SIDE
the hinge is placed, except by raising
the door. The framing of the door
seems to be a coarse, strong web,
which is extended at one side to form
the hinge, and which is bonded with
earth to give it the requisite stiffness.
The hinge is abo ut three-eighths of an
inch wide, and acts as spring to shut
the door Immediately after the owner s
exit Scientific american.