Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-10-23
ARIZONA TARANTULAS.
A Holrid Spider and It's Enemy, the
Tarantula Hawk,

whose entlre surroundings are so full OF
interest, is justly an object of dread to
man and beast. Latin names for the
creature have been bountifully supplied,
and it is somewhat difficult to decide
which are most deserving. The title
of Mygale Hentzii seems to fit the Ari-
zona variety tolerably well.
The Mygalc sometimes spreads over
six inches square, but more frequently
four to five inches. The writer has at
the present time a stuffed specimen that
extends about six and half inches. A
shaggy coat of hair covers the surface of
the great spider. 1t is supplied with six
strong, bony legs, and two dangerous
pedipalps or strikers, each armed with
sharp sting and poison sac. The
strikers are frequently mistaken for two
front legs, and from this arises the idea
that the creature has stings on its feet.
Two powerful projections, resembling
jaws, protrude from the head. Under
each of these is curved poison fang,
similar to a cats claw, but longer lex
actly like those of rattesnake), which
may be lifted, extended and hooked in
to the victim. A person thus stung (or
bittenO must cut the tarantula away at
once, for the spider does not seem will
ing to unhook its fangs.
There are two varieties in Arizona
the large, black, so-called Texas taran-
tula, a fierce and quarrelsome species,
and somewhat smaller kind, brown,
heavier built, and less aggressive. The
hair surrounding the mouth of tarantu-
la is of crimson color The reptile
must be turned on its back to see this.
The venomous tarantula, in spite of all
discussions to the contrary, does build
and live in the trap-door spider nest.
There seems to be a current idea that the
trap-door spider is harmless, which is
certainly erroneous. 1t uses no web net,
easily capturing its prey by extraordinary
springs. Those who have seen this
arachnidan by daylight can have little
idea of its power and tleetness. During
the day it moves slowly and clumsily in
the dazzling light, but when darkness
comes it can move with case and certain
ty. Credible accounts have appeared
stating that the tarantula can leap six
teen feet. Repeated statements have
credited it with leaps of three feet or
more. In the year 1870, or near that
date, three men disturbed several taran-
tula nests in San Diego. They were i'm
mediately attacked by the huge spiders,
and had to run for their lives, taking
refuge in the waters of the bay.
1t is almost impossible for one who
isn't well informed to locate the taran-
tula's eyes. The first time the writer
looked for them the result was utter fail
urc, and ended in the conviction that
the reptile was blind. But it has eyes
six almost invisible specks no larger than
the point of pin, mounted on II tiny
setting that grows out of the back. Two
peer forward, two sideways and two be-
hind. The head and trunk, by the way,
are all one piece.
Tarantulas are considered deadly foes
to each other, and are seldom found in
company. When imprisoned together
there is a fight, one succumbs and is
eaten by the victor. Nature has done q
service in making the tarantula so hide
GUS and formidable looking object.
Indeed, it is owing to this responsiveness
that no greater number of persons are
stung. The sight of the great, hairy
spider crawling near by will cause cold,
creeping sensation down the back of
almost anyone.
The Mygale poison is of fearful
nature; more dreaded than that of a
rattlesnake; and unless very slightly
scratched and heroic measures are used
the result is fatal. Many deaths are on
record caused by these spiders. The
most prolonged suffering was that of
San Diego woman. A tarantula sunk its
fangs in her hand during the night. The
flesh was cut away with razor and med
lcal assistance summoned at once. Her
life was prolonged for time as well as
her sufferings. For three months she
fingered under the effects; her hands
constantly creeping and crawling along
the bedding in horrible imitation of the
motions of the tarantula.
A tarantula hawk came sailing into the
Companion Office recently. These giant,
blue wasps with their fiery wings are
deadly foes to the tarantula, and should
be encouraged in every locality. They
seem never to rest a moment, and with
tireless energy fly and walk rapidly along
the ground, running into every crevice
and hole, and examining every suspicious
object-after the dreaded tarantula. The
fate of the giant spider is both certain
and attended with fascinating horror.
The winged insect hovers over the vic
tim until it finds good opportunity to
sting The poison acts in q peculiar
manner, the tarantula becoming par
alyzed. In this state the eggs of the
hawk are laid in the helpless spider, who
remains alive to be slowly devoured by
the hungry Larvae.
A prepared (stuifed) tarantula was at
hand; the hawk was placed in paste
board box with the latter. The effect
was unexpected. If there ever was such
thing as fear displayed by an insect we
beheld it in the superlative degree. The
hawk probably didn't like the scent of
the dead spider, for it made the most
violent Efforts to get out of reach, until
out of pity it was removed, when it i'm
mediately quieted down. We placed this
interesting visitor under goblet to make
an examination and to sketch its proper
tions; but the plan was foiled by the re-
markable actions of the insect, which
suddenly became angry, and with reck-
less Indifference stabbed itself several
times with its poisonous sting. 1t then
Immediately folded up its legs, turned
over on its back, and in less than min.
ute was dead. The onlookers were as
tonished, and could not explain thu
strange suicide. Florence (Ari.) Com