The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-02-11
4 SPIDERS JICTORT.
How a Tiny web-weaver Caught and Killed
Big Beetle.

An article in a recent number Of the Scien-
tifc American, describing a Remarkable En-
gineerng Feat Of a Spider reminds me of a
no less remarkable exploit Of a tiny spider,
which | witnessed. in which the insects ii-
genuity in improvising a hoisting tackle gave
him the victory, writes Charles Is. Palmer %
the Scientific American.
ttPOtato beetles were very numerous last
summer and were often seen craving about
on the fences and buildings. One Of These,
climbing up on the Inside of woodshct.
came in contact with a spiders web stretched
across the corner Of the building. The watch
ful spider came out at once and endcayored
10 cntangle him.
The propensity Of these beetles for playing
'possumn i'm time of danger is Well known. In
this ease the insect did not drop To- the ground,
as they are wont % do when potato vines are
disturbed He held fast 10 the board with his
claws. but drew down his head and antennr.
and remained mOtiOnle,s. The spider, which
was a very small one. ran about over the big
beetles oval back like q cat on a barrel. wind
ing his threads rapidly around his captive UNI
nj he seemed satisfied and retired 10 await re-
suits
The beetle. finding himself left alone. woke
up and tried To move Of Lifting one foot at
q time. he succeeded in breaking the cords
which bound each one. Then. Juggling for
ward with ms shoulders. like an OK drawing "a
heavy load. he had nearly freed himself when
the little spider again advanced % the at
tack, winding his threads with astonishing
rapidty.
The beetle now seemed 10 realize that the
"'possum" act was not the best thing FOR that
particular emergency, and struggled harder
than ever 10 get away. The spider also eccn-
ed 10 understand that something different
would have 10 be done or he would lose his
prize. for the threads were swapping as fast as
he could wind them. He paused a moment,
and / thought he had given up the contest
But greatly underestimate the resources
Of the little giant. lie was onIy thinking.
He saw wherein the beetle had the advantage
OF MIN. and devised scheme 10 overcome
that advantage. The problem WAS 10 get his
big antagonist of the board into the middle of
the web-nOt an easy matter. one would think.
considering the relative size OF the two m
sects But the plan was made and executed
with a rapdity that puts To shame our slug
gish human thoughts and actions.
The beetle was in the edge Of the web,
about two inches from the corner Of the bulld-
ing. Fastening a thread 10 the beetles back.
the spidc- ran across the corner and made It
fast h. the wall on the opposite side of the
web. and IN such position that It tended 20
lift the beetle of its feet. Repeating the
operation again and again, he soon had NUM-
Der of threads stretched across the angle. all
drawn as tightly rs possible.
As this work proceeded the beetle soon
found himself obliged 10 cease his struggles
and use all his strength i'm holding ON. The
spider again retiring, odd Line Back tried
once more 10 move of. but AT the first step hc
was ierked entirely of his feet 10y the elias
ITCHY of the threads and left dangling in the
air In this situation he was easily wound
up and dispatched 10y his smart little enemy.