. The popular natural history . Zoology. S74 TSAf'DOOR SPIDER The talons of the spiders are scientifically called by the appropriate nanie rA fakes, ihe word being Latin, and signifying "a reapin^; By this name they will be called in the course of the following p iges. The falces of the great Crab Spideis are of enor nous size, and when removed from the creature and set in gol!, they are used as tooth-picks, being thought to possess some occult virtue which drives away the toothache. In the illustration is an example of the curious TRAP- DOOR Spid -r of ,
. The popular natural history . Zoology. S74 TSAf'DOOR SPIDER The talons of the spiders are scientifically called by the appropriate nanie rA fakes, ihe word being Latin, and signifying "a reapin^; By this name they will be called in the course of the following p iges. The falces of the great Crab Spideis are of enor nous size, and when removed from the creature and set in gol!, they are used as tooth-picks, being thought to possess some occult virtue which drives away the toothache. In the illustration is an example of the curious TRAP- DOOR Spid -r of , erroneously called the Tarantula. This spider digs a burrow in the earth and lines it with a silken web, but instead of merely protecting the entrance by a portion of the s Iken tube-, it proves itself a more complete architect by making a tiap-door with a hin^e that permits it to be opened and closed with admu-able accuracy. The floor is beautifully circular, and is made of alternate layers of earth and welj, and hinged to the lining of the tube by a b inJ of the same silken secretion. It exactly fits tlie entrance of the burrow, and, when closed, so precisely cor- responds with the surrounding earth that it can hardly be distinguished, even when its position is pointed out. It is a strange sight to see the earth open, a little lid raised, some hairy legs protrude, and gradually the whole form of the spider show The curious and interesting Water Spider is now far better known than was formerly the case, as the numerous aquaria that have I cen eslablislied over the kingdom have tended to familiarize us with this-as well as with many other inhabitants of the water. This creature leads a strange life. Though a really terrestrial being, and ^_^ needing to respire atmo- 1^ i) k|j^^ spheric air, it passes nearly 5??aW®^ the whole of its life in the water, and, for the greater part of its time is subm rged below the surface. To a lesser degree, s verd other spiders lead a F
Size: 1441px × 1734px
Photo credit: © Central Historic Books / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1884
