322 



AMERICAN SPIDERS AND THEIR SPINNINGWORK. 



to make as to the actual cause and intention of the sounds which some- 

 times are heard to issue from spiders in a condition of excitement. 



The method of the tarantula in attacking its prey is similar to that 

 of Lycosids and other spiders. It throws itself upon the four hind legs, 

 draws back its cephalothorax to a greater or less degree, accord- 

 How Ta- j n g O ne nearness of its adversary, raises the two front pairs 

 of legs and the palps, and, holding them well together, throws 

 them backward, opens wide the tremendous fangs and the man- 

 dibles, which are held straight out from the face, and then at the proper 

 moment launches itself forward (Fig. 304), striking its adversary with its 

 fore claws and fangs. The stroke will be repeated a number of times 

 with great rapidity, and after each stroke the tarantula falls back into the 

 rampant position above described. (Fig. 303.) 



I am hardly able to give serious credence to Professor Mason's theory 

 that the stridulating organs, like the rattles upon a rattlesnake's tail, are 

 intended to give warning to victims. Even if we were to suppose that 

 the large insects and other creatures fed upon by these spiders are able 

 to detect such sounds and recognize their meaning, I cannot think, in the 

 face of 'my long continued observations of living species in confinement, 

 and the few observations made in the state of Nature, that they do utter 

 sounds sufficiently distinct to cause anything like terror on the part of 

 intended victims. I never saw an insect fed to my tarantulas that showed 

 the least sign of fear or even consciousness of the presence of an enemy. 



