THE GAKDEN SPIDEK AND THE SCORPION. 667 



is the common Garden Spider, sometimes called the Cross Spider, 

 from the marks upon its abdomen. This is thought to be the best typ- 

 ical example of all the Arachnidse. It is found in great numbers in our 

 gardens, stretching its beautiful webs perpendicularly from branch to 

 branch, and remaining in the centre with its head downward, waiting 

 for its prey. This attitude is tolerably universal among spiders ; and 

 it is rather curious that the Arachnidse should reverse the usual order 

 of things, and assume an inverted position when they desire to re- 

 pose. 



The web of this spider is composed of two different kinds of threads, 

 the radiating and supporting threads being strong and of simple tex- 

 ture, but the fine spiral thread which divides the web into a series of 

 steps, decreasing in breadth toward the centre, is studded with a vast 

 amount of little globules, which give to the web its peculiar adhesive- 

 ness. These globules are too small to be perceptible to the unassisted 

 eye, but by the aid of a microscope they may be examined without 

 difficulty. In an ordinary web, such as is usually seen in gardens, 

 there will be about eighty-seven thousand of these globules, and yet 

 the web can be completed in less than three quarters of an hour. 

 The globules are loosely strung upon the lines, and when they are 

 rubbed off the thread is no longer adhesive. 



Of all the Spider race the Scorpions are most dreaded, and justly so. 

 These strange beings are at once recognized by their large claws and 

 the armed tail. This member is composed of six joints, the last being 

 modified into an arched point, very sharp, and communicating with two 

 poison-glands in the base of the joint. With this weapon the Scorpion 

 wounds its foes, striking smartly at them, and by the same movement 

 driving some of the poison into the wound. The effect of the poison 

 varies much according to the constitution of the person who is stung 

 and the size and health of the Scorpion. Should the creature be a 

 large one, the sting is productive of serious 

 consequences, and in some cases has been 

 known to destroy life. Generally, how'- 

 ever, there is little danger to life, though 

 the pain is most severe and the health 

 much injured for the time, the whole limb 

 throbbing with shooting pangs and the 

 stomach oppressed with overpowering nau- 

 sea. The poison seems to be of an acrid The Rock ScoRnoN {Buthus 

 nature, and the pain can be relieved by "^^^'^' 



the application of alkaline remedies, such as liquid ammonia, tobacco 

 ashes, etc. Melted fat is also thought to do good service, and the nau- 

 sea is relieved by small doses of ipecacuanha. Some of the poison can 

 mostly be brought to the surface by means of pressing a tube, such 



