The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-05-13
cREAr HAIRY SPIDERS.
Two Varieties of Tarantulas Whose Bite
is Almost Certain Death.

The great spider called the tarantula,
whose entire surroundings are SO full of
interest, is justly an object of dread to
man and beast. Latin names for the
creature have been bountifully sup
piled, and it is somewhat difficult to
decide which are most deserving. The
title Mygale Hentzii seems to fit the
Arizona variety tolerablj well.
The Mygale sometimes spreads over
6 inches square. but more frequently
4 or inches. The writer has at the
present time stuffed specimen that
extends about 1-2 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, protude from the
head. Under each of these is a curved
poison fang, similar 20 a cats claw,
but longer (exactly like those of
rattlesnake). which may be lifted, ex-
tended, and hooked into the victim.
A person thus stung Cor bitten?O must
cut the tarantula away at once. for the
spider does not seem willing to unhook
its fangs.
There are two varieties in Arizona
the large, black, so-called Texas tar
antula, fierce and quarrelsome
species, and a somewhat smaller kind.
brown, heavier built, and less ag-
gressive. The hair surrounding the
mouth of a tarantula is of a 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
trap door spider nest. There seems
to be current idea that the trap door
spider is harmle SIS, which is certainly
erroneous. 1t uses no web net, easily
springs. Those who have seen this
arachnidan by daylight can have little
idea of it's power and f1eetness. Dur
ing the day it moves slowly and
clumsily in the dazzling light, but
when darkness comes it can move with
ease and certainty. Credible accounts
have appeared stating that the taran-
tula can leap sixteen feet. Repeated
statements have credited it with leaps
of three feet or more. In the year
1870, or near that date, three men dis
turbed several tarantula nests in San
Diego. They were Immediately at
tackled 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 we'll informed to locate the tar
antula's eyes. The first time the writer
looked for them the result was utter
failure, 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 tiny setting that grows out of the
back Two peer forward, two sideways,
and two behind. 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 fight, one succumbs,
and is eaten by the victor. Nature
has done service in making the tar
antula so hideous and formidable a
looking object. Indeed it is owing to
this responsiveness that no greater num-
Der of persons are stung. The sight
of the great hairy spider crawling near
by will cause cold, creeping sensa-
ton down the back of almost any one.
The Mygale poison is of fearful
nature-more dreaded than that of a
rattlesnake-and unless only slightly
scratched and heroic measures used,
the result is fatal. Many deaths are
on record caused by these spiders.
The most pronounced suffering was
that of San Diego women. A tar
antula sunk its fangs in her hand, dur
ing the night. The flesh was cut away
with razor and medical assistance
summoned at once. Her life was pro-
longed for a time, as we'll as her suffer-
ings. For three months she fingered
under the effects, her hands constantly
creeping and crawling along the bed
ding in horrible imitation of the mo-
tions of the tarantula.
The Mexicans claim that in Mexico
an extract is made from the tarantula
and taken internally as medicine.
This may be so. Many blood poisons
may be taken into the stomach in small
doses with very little ill effect. The
bee sting for instance, is painful, but
the same poison gives honey its agree
able flavor. The spider itself when
stung by another Immediately dies,
and it may be easily killed by admin
istrations of poisons internally, such
as evanide, &C.; even gelseminum and
other fluid extracts are effective.
| A tarantula hawk came sailing into
the Companion Office recently. These
giant blue wasps. with their fiery
wings are deadly foes to tarantulas, and
should be encouraged in every locality.
They seem never to rest a moment,
and with tireless energy fly and walk
| niHlu 1npO the CrrOnnH 11Inni in N
every crevice and hole and examining
every suspicious object, after the tar
antula. The fate of the giant spider
when discovered by the hawk is cer-
tain and attended with fascinating
| horror.
The winged insect hovers over the
victim until it finds a good opportun-
ity to sting. The poison acts in
peculiar manner, the tarantula becom-
ing paralyzed. 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 (stuffed) tarantula was
at hand; the hawk was placed in
pasteboard 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 superla-
tive degree. The hawk probably don'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 Immediately quieted
down. We placed this interesting vis-
itor under a goblet to make an ex-
animation and to sketch its proper
tions, but the plan was foiled by the
ranorE a hIo aotionS of tho inSant which
suddenly became angry, and with
reckless Indifference stabbed itself
several times with its poisonous sting.
1t then Immediately folded up its legs,
turned over on its back, and in less
tho, q ,,ainlltn dand Tho nnlnnl:.