The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1884-10-02
Southern California Tarantula.

Ugly, vicious, energetic, and, to
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 their habits.
Among the most valued trophies
tourists carry away with them from the
coast are neat cards, adorned with these
animals, and case containing the nest,
SO MS 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 tun-
ncls. capped with the almost invisible
door.
The legs Of the tarantula are larger,
and are not furnished with 30 long and
dense growth Of hair as are the speci-
mems found in other sections Of the
Southwestern States. The back is COW
cred very thickly with extremely fine,
short hair; the back and the outer joints
of the legs are Of q light brown color,
the remainder being Of deeper shade.
The forward part of the head is divided,
and each division terminates in sharp,
downwardly curved and iet-black horn
or hook.
The tarantula pounces upon his prey,
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 early in the morning. Although
pugnacious when cornered, he will not
seek 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
ing. Having selected suitable site, he
digs hole varying from four to eighteen
inches in depth, and just large enough
around to admit him easily. although
it is puzzling to conceive how he ever
gets his long, ungainly, and many
iointed legs comfortably disposed in SO
small 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 hared, and in this widened part
is fitted the door, which is hinged at
one side SO that it may be easily lifted.
The inside Of the door is finely finished,
and covered with web similar to that
on the sides. The tarantula knows that
this door is not heavy enough to insure
a tight fit when it is dropped, so he
makes q small handle near the center
of the under side, by which he pulls
the door closely down, thereby insuring
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 esixtcenth of an inch apart
The outside of the door is placed about
at the level Of the ground, and is 50
nearly the same color rs the surround
ing soil that it can be discovered only
after the most careful search. The
joint Of the door is so we'll male and
the colors are 80 nearly alike that il is
almost impossible to ascertain upon
which side the hinge is placed, except
by raising the door. The framing ol
the door seems to be coarse, strong
web, which is extended at one side Il
form the hinge, and which is bonded
with earth to give it the requisite stiff
ness. The hinge is about three eighths
OF an inch wide and acts as spring Il
shut the door Immediately after til,
owners exit.-Scientidc American.