230 Araneides of the United States. 



Observations. This formidable species dwells in holes, ten 

 or twelve inches in depth, in light soil, which it digs itself ; 

 for the cavity is always proportionate to the size of the spider. 

 The orifice of the hole has a ring, made chiefly of silk, which 

 prevents the soil from falling in when it rains. This Lycosa, 

 probably as large as the Tarantula of the South of Europe, 

 is common in Massachusetts ; but we have not heard of serious 

 accidents produced by its bite. Its poison, however, must be 

 of the same nature and as virulent. The reason perhaps why 

 nothing is said of its venom, is, that so very few instances can 

 have occurred of its biting any body. All persons shun 

 spiders, and these shun mankind still more. Moreover their 

 cheliceres cannot open at an angle which can enable them to 

 grasp a large object. Without denying its power to poison, 

 which it certainly has, it is well to expose popular errors, such 

 as that of the Romans in regard to the bite of the shrew 

 which it is now proved cannot open its mouth wide enough 

 to bite at all. This spider, when captured, shows some 

 combativeness, and has uncommon tenacity of life. It is a 

 laborious task to dig down its deep hole with the care neces- 

 sary not to injiu'c it. I have at times introduced a long slen- 

 der straw downward, till I could feel a resistance, and also the 

 struggle of the tenant ; and I could perceive that it bit the 

 straw. In one or two instances, by lifting the straw grad- 

 ually, I brought up the enraged spider still biting the inert 

 instrument of its wrath. It probably lives many years. A 

 piceous variety is found in Alabama, with the two first joints 

 of the legs, pectus and abdomen yellowish underneath, or 

 lighter in color. 



Habitat. Massachusetts, North Alabama. 



PI. VIII Fig. 8. Lycosa futifera, a. Its trophi. b. Its eyes. 



2. LYCOSA (TARANTULA) CAROLINENSIS ? Bosc. M. S. 

 Description. Mouse-colored ; cephalothorax with an in- 

 dented blackish mark at base ; cheliceres covered witli rufous 

 hairs in front, and with a red elevation ; abdomen with several 

 whitish dots and angular transverse lines on the disk, sides 

 nearly white ; beneath, usually quite black, except the legs, 



