Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-01-15
KILLED THE TARANTuLA.
A Colony of Red Ants Attack and Dis.
 patch One of the Huge Spiders.

A Colony of Red Ants Attack and Dis patch One of the Huge Spiders.
 A hunter one day encountered large specimen of the tarantula, which abounds in Texas. He did not dare to touch or go near the deadly insect which was about five inches in length and of a rather greenish hue; but he got 0 long stick, one end of which he split, and by dexterous manipulation se- cured the tarantula between the prongs, which, coming together, held it tight enough to prevent its escape, but not enough to injure it. He repaired with it to hill of large red ants which he had passed on his tramp a short time be- fore. In the middle of the hill he de- posted the tarantula, releasing it from its imprisonment It 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 brief moment, and then, one by one, hurriedly entered the different small holes within which were their domiciles. The tarantula meanwhile was motionless, occasionally blinking its small, sharp eyes, but not deigning to glance upon the small insects.
 But presently came forth the ants in a body. Although the tale-bearers had entered the hill by different holes, the warriors all issued from the same one. First came a large ant, and then the others so closely upon the heels of 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 of the furry legs. and the others got their teeth in as near by as possible. There seemed to be an almost intending string of the ants, and, in a minute and a half, the entire body of their victim was covered with them. After that the tarantula did not move a limb scarcely. At first it attempted to pull away the leg attacked by the ants, but finding it fastened it showed along with the disengaged legs. moving per haps an inch and half; but the re. mainder of its body was soon covered with the insects, which devoted part of their force to holding the victim in place. The tarantula only killed three of the ants. These three ventured with in the reach of the jaws of the tarantula, which closed it's mouth with 8 snap ending their existence instanter.
 In four minutes the tarantula was dead. There was not a sign of blood anywhere on its body. though in many places were evidences of the fray. Near the head were scars showing where the ants had bitten deepest. Shortly after it closed its eyes and allowed its head to sag many of the ants withdrew, but when there was a convulsive jerk of one leg the ants ran up again, and this time remained till every sign of anima- tion was gone.
 Then the ants removed the corpse. It was heavy body to move, but they ac. complished it. On the rather flat top of the hill the pull was hard and long, but on the incline it was easier. Ar. rived at the foot the ants deserted the corpse and returned to their homes, some entering their holes, others re. suming the work they had been inter- rupted at when the tarantula came among them. - St Louis Globe Demo- crat