The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-03-20
GREAT HAIRY SPIDERS.
TWO Varieties OF Tarantulaa whose
Bite is Almost Certain Death.
FROM The Florence Companion.


From the Florence Companion.
The great spider called the tarantula,
whose entire surroundings are so full Of in
terest, is justly an object of dread to man
and beast. Latin names for the creature
have been beautifully supplied, and it is
somewhat difficult to decide which are most
deserving. The title of Mgqdle Hentzii
seems to ut the Arizona vsriety tolerably
we'll.
The Mygale sometimes spreads over 6
inches square, but more frequently or 5
Inches. The writer has at the present time
a stuffed specimen that extends about 615
inches. A shaggy coat of hair covers the
surface Of the great spider It is supplied
with six strong, bony legs. and two dan
gerous pedipalps or strikers, each armed
with sharp sting and poison sac. The
strikers are frequently mistaken for two
front legs. and from this arises theldea that
the creature has etings on its feet. Two
powerful projections, resembling jaws, pro-
trude from the head. Under each of these
is curved poison fang, similar to a cats
claw, but longer exactly likely those Of a
rattlesnake), which may be lifted, extended
and booked into the victim. A person thus
stung Tor b1ttenD must cut the tarantula
away at once, for the spider does not seem
willing to unlock its fangs.
There are two varieties in Arizopa-the
large, black, so-called Texas tarantula, a
fierce and quarrelsome species, and a some
what smaller kind, brown, heavier built
and less aggressive. The hair surrounding
the mouth of tarantula 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 currant 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
daylight can have little idea of its power
and feetness. During 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 tarantula can
leap sixteen feet. Repeated statements
have credited it with leaps Of three feet or
more. In the year 1879, or near that date,
three men disturbed 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
well informed to locate the tarantula'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 he 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 COM
pany. When imprisoned together there is
fight, one succumbs, and is eaten by the
victor. Nature has done service in maxi
ing the tarantua so hideous and formidable
looking aspect. 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 a
cold creeping sensation down the back Of
almost any one.
The Mygale poison is of fearful nature
more dreadful than that of 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 prolonged suffering was
that Of San Diego woman. A tarantule
sunk its fangs in her hand during the
night. The flesh was cut away with a
razor and medical assistance summoned at
once. Her life was prolonged for time, as
well as her sufferiugs. For three months
she fingered under the effects, her hands
constantly creeping and crawling along the
bedding in horrible imitation of the mo-
tons of the tarantula.
The Mexicans claim that in Mexico an ex.
tract 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 i'll
effect. The bee sting, for instance, is pain
full, but the same poison gives honey it:
agreeable flavor. The spider, when stung
by another, Immediately dies, and it may be
easily killed by administrations OF poison'
internally, such as cyanide, ETC. even gel
seminum and other field 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 the tarantula and should be
encouraged in every locality. They seem
never to rest a moment, and with tireIe5,
energy fly and walk rapidly along the
ground, running into every crevice and
hole and examining every suspicious object,
after the tarantula. The fate of the giant
spider when discovered by the hawk is GER
tain and attended with fascinating horror.
Tho winged insect hovers over the victim
until it finds good opportunity to sting
| The poison acts in a peculiar manner, the
tarantula becoming paralyzed. In this
state the eggs of the hawk are laid in tbs
helpless spider, who remains alive to bt
slowly devoured by the hungry Larvae.
| A prepared (stutfed) tarantula was at
hand; the hawk was placed in pasteboard
box with the latter. The effect was unex.
pected. If there ever was such thing as fear
displayed by an insect we beheld it in the
superlative 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 quietet
down. We placed this interesting Wis
itor under goblet to make an examination
and to sketch its proportions, but the plan
was foiled by the remarkable actions Of The
insect, which suddenly became angry, anC
with reckless indifference stabbed itsel
several times with its poisonous sting. L
then Immediately folded mp its legs. turned
over on its back, and in less than minute
was dead. The onlookers were astonisheC
and could not explain the strange suicide.
a DANGEROUS CARGO.