378 Singular Anecdote of the Spider. 



The specimen No. 2, is a sample from the same copper, after the 

 surface had been covered with charcoal for about half an hour. 

 This, you will perceive, is in a very different state from the other, 

 and, when poured into water, granulated without any explosion, 

 as the small bits will show. I remain. Sec. 



To Mr. John Daltcm. Samuel Lucas. 



LXV. Singular Anecdote of the Spider, with Observations on 

 the Utility of Ants in destroying venomous Insects. By 

 Captain BAGiNoi-D*. 



X-fEsiRous of ascertaining the natural food of the scorpion, I 

 inclosed one (which measured three quarters of an inch from the 

 head to the insertion of the tail) in a wide-mouthed phial, toge- 

 ther with one of those large spiders so common in the West In- 

 dies, and closed it with a cork perforated by a quill for the ad- 

 mission of air : the insects seemed carefully to avoid each other, 

 retiring to opposite ends of the bottle, which was placed horizon- 

 tally. By giving it a gradual inclination, the scorpion was forced 

 into contact with the spider, when a sharp encounter took place, 

 the latter receiving repeated stings from his venomous adversary, 

 apparently without the least injury, and, with his web, soon 

 lashed the scorpion's tail to his back, subsequently securing his 

 legs and claws with the same material. In this state I left them 

 some time, in order to oGserve what effect would be produced on 

 the spider by the wounds he had received. On my return, how- 

 ever, I was disappointed, the ants having entered and destroyed 

 them both. 



In the West Indies I have daily witnessed crowds of these little 

 insects destroying the spider or cockroach ; as soon as he is di- 

 spatched, they carry him to their nest. I have frequently seen 

 them drag their prey perpendicularly up the wall ; snd although 

 the weight vvould overcome their united efforts, and fall to the 

 ground perhaps twenty times in succession, yet, by unremitting 

 perseverance, and the aid of reinforcement, they always succeeded. 



A struggle of this description once amused the officers of His 

 Majestv's ship Retribution for nearly half an hour : a large cen- 

 tipede entered the gun-room, surrounded by an immense con- 

 course of ants ; the deck for four or five feet round was covered 

 with them, his body and limbs were encrusted with his lilliputian 

 enemies, and although thousands were destroyed by his exertions 

 to escape, they ultimately carried him in triumph to their dwelling. 



In the woods near Sierra Leone I have several times seen the 



* From the Quarterly Journal, No. xv. 



entire 



