Chapter 



THE BLACK-BELLIED TARANTULA 



The Spider has a bad name : to most of us, she 

 represents an odious, noxious animal, which 

 every one hastens to crush under foot. Against 

 this summary verdict the observer sets the 

 beast's industry, its talent as a weaver, its wili- 

 ness in the chase, its tragic nuptials and other 

 characteristics of great interest. Yes, the Spider 

 is well worth studying, apart from any scientific 

 reasons ; but she is said to be poisonous and 

 that is her crime and the primary cause of the 

 repugnance wherewith she inspires us. Poison- 

 ous, I agree, if by that we understand that the 

 animal is armed with two fangs which cause 

 the immediate death of the little victims which 

 it catches ; but there is a wide difference 

 between killing a Midge and harming a man. 

 However immediate in its effects upon the 

 insect entangled in the fatal web, the Spider's 



A 



