The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-01-14
.ANQUSHEo BY ANTS.
A Huge Tarantula Intruder Overcome
by the Force of Numbers.

A Huge Tarantula Intruder Overcome
by the Force of Numbers.
Frank Gillette tells of remarkable fight
he witnessed between a large tarantula
and a colony Of red ants. He had just re-
turned from Jack county where, in the
canyons and hills, he had been hunting. In
the afternoon OF one day he encountered
large specimen OF the tarantula which
abounds In Texas He did not dare TO
touch or even go near the deadly insect,
which was about five inches in length and
of a rather greenish hue, but he got long
stick, one end Of which he split, and by a
dexterous manipulation secured the taran-
tEsa between the prongs, which coming to
gssher held it tight enough 20 prevent its
escape, but not enough 10 inJure n.
He repaired with it 20 a bill of large red
ants which he had passed on his tramp a
short time before. In the middle OF the
hill he deposited the tarantula. releasing it
from its Imprisonment. Il was a rather
chilly day, and but few ants were out Of
their holes. But these few gathered around
the stranger, looked at it closely for a brief
moment. aud then Que By one hurriedly
entered the different small holes within
which were their domiciies. The taran-
IUld MEANWHILE NdN l4DLiJtllt-Nf btisAeANtA-
ally blinking its small, sharp eyes, but not
deigning 70 glance upon the small insects.
But presently came forth the ants IN a
body Although the talebearers had en-
tered the hill By different holes, the war
ri0rs ell issued from the same one. First
came q large ant, and then the others 80
closely upon the heels % each other that
the line looked like a blood red string
The side Of the tarantula was about four
inches from where the ants issued from
the cone, and they made straight for the
enemy without loss Of time. The large
one in the lead bounced upon one OK the
furry legs, and the others got their teeth
Ia as near by as possible.
There seemed q be an almost unending
string OF the ants. and in n minute and a
half the entire body Of t--lr victim was
covered with them After that the taran-
tula did not move limb scarcely. AT hFst
il attempted 20 pul. away the ie- attacked
bv The ants hut fi1tiaZit fastened u showed
along ~ffh the discuzag-d leg. moving per
haus an inch and naif. bat tle remainder
Of its body was soOn covered with the Ia
sect-. which devotsd Cart Of their force 70
holding the victim in place. The tar2ntula
only killed three 81 the ants. These three
ventured within reach If the jaws ~ the
tarautula. whirh closed rs mouth With a
snap. ending their existenoe Instantly.
In four minutes the tarzntQla Vas dead
There vas not q sign Of blood anywhere On
it, BODY. though in many places we're evi-
dencss Of ths fray. Near the heal were
scars showing where toe ants had bitten
deepest Shortly AFTER j. closed is eyes
and allowed IL head 20 az many Ct the
ants withdrew. bot when there wss . con
vulsiTe JERK Of one Lex The ants ran up
again. and this time remained III every
syn Of animation Wa gone
Then the ants removed the ooTp@e. u
was heavy body 70 move. bat thsT Acorn
plished Il. On the Eat TOP of the hi
the pull wzs rather hard and long, but
on the incline II Wa easier Arrived a.
the foot, the an-s deserted the oorpss and
returned - ths-ir homes, soDle entering the
ho.ss. others resumiag the work they had
leer interrupted a. wieu the tarantGla
cane among then --TsLzs Car. - Louis
G.obe- Democrat.