The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-08-08

Ugly. vicious energetic, and, to q
:ertain degree. poisonous. are the spi-
iers that infest the southern part OF
California, and yet when closely studied
hey present many peculiar characters
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 o case contxin-
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 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 joint,
of the legs are of light brown color,
the remainder being of deeper shade
The forward part of the head is divided,
and each division terminates in a sharp.
acknowledgement and jet black horI
or hook.
The tarantula pounces upon his prey.
and, thrusting in the hooks, most Sc
cureiy holds his victim. 1t is seldom
met in the daytime, preferring to seek
its food during the night, returning tc
its nest in the early 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
ling. Having selected a suitable site,
he digs hole varying from four &c
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, uugainly and
many jointed legs comfortably dis
posed in so small q space. - :
The walls are carefully snioothed,
and are completely covered with an ex.
ceedingly fine fabric of his own manu-
facture. The top of this tunnel is
slightly fared, and in this widened part
is fitted the door. which is hinged al
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 small handle near the center
of the under side by which he pulls the
door closely down, thereby insuring q
joint that most effectually excludes all
dampness from his abode. The handle
is 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
sol that it can be discovered only aftel
the most careful search. The joint Of
the door is so wei made and the colors
are so nearly alike that it is almost i'm
possible to ascertain upon which side
the hinge is placed, except by RAISING
the door. The framing of the door
seems to be 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 about three-eighths OF, ar
inch wide, and acts as spring to shut
the door Immediately after the owners
exit.-Scjenttfc Aflertca'l