The Arizona sentinel., 1888-10-06
SPIDERS.
Something Concerning Their Structure and Habits-Not so Dangerous as Many Suppose.

Something Concerning Their Structure
 and Habits-Not so Dangerous as Many Suppose.
 Many persons would be ready to af- firm that the spider is an insect; but an eminent naturalist has declared that the spider and an insect are very dis similar in structure, being as neaAy alike, in fact, as a COW and a codfsh. They have one common feature, in that each wears it's skeleton on the outside, with it's muscles attached on the inside; but with this kindred peculiar ity the resemblance ends.
 The spider is divided into two parts; the insect into three. In the spider the head and thorax are combined. Above the mouth, and hanging down in front, are pair of jaws which contain the poison fangs with which the spider is enabled to secure and kill the insects upon which it preys. Behind these are smaller jaws, which assist in preparing the food for the mouth. The spider has eight eyes, so arranged that they look in different directions.
 The spider has four pairs of legs; the insects three pairs. The legs are cov- cred with hair, which differs in length at different periods of life, and which renders service in securing a hold upon the web which it so industriously spins- The thread is thrown off from the little T o44 4ID.on of o called spinnerets. The thread of the spider is composed of innumerable small strands, which may often be pulled apart like the fibers of rope. One of these small strands is said to be one two-millionth the thickness of hair; but as hair differs in texture, we may simply conclude that the strands are of surprising delicacy and fineness-
 Spiders spin webs throughout their whole existence, and each spider pro- duces three distinct kinds of silk. One kind is very strong, and of this the radiating lines of the web are made. l The cross lines are finer, and fastened upon them are many globules of sticky gum. It is said that there are fourteen hundred gumny spots to every inch Of web. A scientist drew from the body of a single spider three thousand. four hundred and eighty yards of silk-a little less than three. miles. The silk woven from the spiders thread is said to be more glossy and brilliant than of the silkworm. It is sometimes utilized Stocking have been made of it, and enough was once secured to weave an entire suit of clothes for Louis XIV.
 Spiders display great activity, and are not without their share of accom- pIishments. They run with surprising speed, can climb perpendicular glass, dig holes, spread nets and run down prey. They also swim well, some species spending nearly their whole existence under water. Others have the power to rise higher than any bird. This feat is accomplished by throwing out webs, which are swept upward by heated currents of air.
 The female spider is bigger and fiercer than the male, whose devotion she sometimes cruelty repays by quietly devouring him. In one tribe the fe- male is hundreds of times larger than the male.
 The mother spider often shows great devotion to her eggs, carrying them about with her enveloped in a silken web, as if very anxious for their safety. The young spider issues from the egg in form strongly resembling the parent spider. It sheds its skin at short,inter- vals of time, until it has reached adult size: The spider can shake off its legs like a lobster Some species carry their young on their backs, thus mak- ing long journeys, Spiders are less dangerous than many suppose, although some of the larger species can lntiict serious wounds.-Oatr Young People. Marine art-steamers drawing wa