INTRODUCING SPIDERS 9 



obtrusive, the youth notes an improvement. Still a little farther 

 off moves the spider, pretending that his only object is to gain 

 the youth's approbation, but really intent on getting nearer and 

 nearer to his burrow. At last he arrives at the entrance. "How 

 do I look now?" asks the wily creature. "Perfectly handsome," 

 replies the youth; but as he speaks the spider dives into the earth 

 with the stolen finery. 1 



Many curious beliefs are current in various parts of the United 

 States regarding spiders, and often they are contradictory. It is 

 rather generally believed that killing a spider or a daddy-long-legs 

 will bring rain, and that many cobwebs on the grass in the morning 

 foretell clear weather. The color of a spider is frequently of much 

 significance in these superstitions. Black ones are almost invariably 

 bad, just as white ones almost certainly signify good luck, but oc- 

 casionally the colors are reversed and assume the opposite attribute. 

 Although in some cases they are thought to be unlucky, the appear- 

 ance of spiders is usually supposed to signify good luck, bringing 

 to the observer new clothes, gifts, money, or visitors. 



Spiders have gained notoriety by smaller effort than any other 

 animals. The bad reputation of a few species has been magnified 

 beyond reason and is now attached to all of them. There is a gen- 

 eral belief throughout the United States, and probably over much 

 of Europe, that the bite of any spider is poisonous. Public opinion 

 has been influenced by tall stories from far places, by sensationalism 

 in the newspapers, and by the natural prejudices of housewives who 

 can be forgiven for wanting their rooms completely free of all 

 crawling creatures. Spiders are for the most part small, and, because 

 of their nocturnal habits, rarely intrude upon our notice. Much of 

 the general aversion for them can be traced to teachings from par- 

 ents and grandparents who early instill the young child with mis- 

 information. The popular prejudice, which even finds expression in 

 nursery rhymes, often amounts to a phobia. The squeamishness of 

 grown men who "can't stand" spiders of whatever size contrasts 

 most unfavorably with the nonchalance of small Indian boys who 

 keep pet tarantulas on a string. 



A frank dislike of spiders because of their predaceous habits 

 would put the whole business on a rational basis. The spectacle of 

 insects being pounced upon, trussed up, crushed, and sucked dry is 



1 H. F. Schwarz, "Spider Myths of the American Indian," Natural History, 

 Journal of the American Museum of Natural History, Vol. 21 (1921), pp. 382-5. 



