New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-23
SPIDERS AND THEIR WAYS.
THEY DO MORE GOOD THAN HARM-THE
GIANT SPIDERS OF THE WORLD.

Washington Nov p (SpeciaD-'The largest spi-
ders in the world says one of the government
tomologsts are TO be found in South America.
Some OF them space Of ten to twelve inches
with legs extended They are known the mygae
spider, but this department has not had oppor-
tunity to make careful study OF them. 1t Is said
that the muscular strength of these spiders is very
great, and they have fangs inch long. 1t is
also stated that many persons in the West Indies
use the fangs for toothpicks. There is said to be
some curative properties in the fangs which pre-
serve the teeth and prevent toothache.
Whenever these spiders seize their prey they
bury their fangs in It, and death is almost in
Simultaneous They sometimes capture large birds.
lurking silently about and springing upon them
when not expected. Unlike most spiders. they do
not web for entrapping. but they make strong
cables of the web for hanging up birds, frogs and
insects after they killed 1t is supposed that the
spiders fond of dried meats and take this
OF procuring and saving II for future use There is
a similar spider found in Florida known as the
Mygale Florida. which is large and ferocious
creature, and with habits almost similar to It's
geners found in South America. Years ago they
were eaten by the Indians and esteemed by
them necessary to health When Florida was
first coded to the United States there millions
Of these spiders. but civilization has Iessened their
number greatly. Fine specimens difficult
to obtain.
ITO person acquainted with spiders and their
habits nothing appears ridiculous than the
to Peope have % P E Gau 5
dangerous spiders in this Though
OF spider is yenomous, Il is fatal only to insects
and animals. The quantity of the poison is
to person who is in Ordinary health In the sui
try months. when the blood Is hot and irritable.
danger Few objects are more repulsive to people
from the frghtful stories which every one has
heard Of the tarantula and the effects of Its wound
Only some tarantuas OF the tropical climates are
poisonous
the little fellows lessons antipathy them
Intelligent cunning and frugal The lutte gray
colored spider, Attus familiaris, does not build
sashes. clapboards and such places; and it runs
No panther or vie with this little fellow in
the skill and adroitness with which it stealthily
hsrIniess but not one housewife in hundred ap
pears to know it. for she will have connipton lit
Another common house spider is known as the
times cream white and sometimes darker of lead
en- gray on liyid brown and tinged at times with
the one have Just spoken of. and contents himself
room. After the web is made ready he retres to
his den and waits for his victim, and the moment
fly or other insect is entanged In the meshes of
the web the spider darts cut. and II he fears that
the fapTye 70 Is break the web and yet aWay he viii
advance cautiously and begin the work of spinning
vcfm fast When this is done the little spider viii
then set TO work 70 hasten ITS death by singing
10 remain in the web. but will weave a system of
pulieys and tackle. and by degrees work the dead
bodv into his home when he goes TO work and
pairs and rearranges the web for the next unfortu
nate. , ~.,
County n Y had a pet spider in his store. 1t
was a little brown Colored fellow, and made its
home under one of the counters. One day the spi
der discovered a small snake near the nest and at
once determined capture the reptile before 1t had
cha nee 10 get him. The snake was what Is known
as a milk snake. and didn't seem disposed to be in
anv hurry about getting away. The spider was al
ready AT work when the storekeeper discovered
what he was doing. With all the care possible the
snider Daced a loop around the neck OF the snake
raaniditv When the spider satisfied that the
ca bic was sufficiently strong TO support the weight
~ the snake he began to arrange Tor puIleylike
tackle and in little while the snakes head was
lifted and gradually its whole body was drawn on
the floor and swung around by the top OF the couh-
ter where the spider had his home
ITO make doubly sure of his work the little
spider passed rapidly and down the cable. add
irg strand after strand of web. When this was ac-
connlished to the entire satisfaction or the SPIDER
whole work He watched every chance. and when
eyer the snakes head turned TO one slde ne
would throw strand of web over his head. ana
in less than half an hour the snakes mouth was
bound firmly, muzzled so that 1t was Impossible Tor
Il 10 bite the spider Before the work was hnished
fine little spider showed signs of breaking down,
moving about with unsteady gait, but he did not
refire 10 his den until the snake was bound so
that II was impossible for 1t to get free. Those VINO
Witnessed this truly wonderful feat that IT was
sntder had been poisonous he could have hastened
lis death but at time did he sting the snake.
This &c the most wonderful and remarkable spider
story which has ever reached US. but 1t is vouched
for by Of the best people now hVlns IN Che-
st1;ive the house spiders a chance; don't kill
them. they will lots of service in destroying flies
as well as poisonous insects