166 NATURAL HISTORY. 



deserts of Arabia and Africa, are their principal habitations on one side of the Atlantic ; on the other 

 side they are best known in Central America and the West Indies. Some small species occur in the 

 southern parts of Europe. Their food consists for the most part of insects, and their chief enemies 

 are the big Centipedes and predaceous Beetles, which, like themselves, run about in search of booty at 

 uight. 



The commonest and best-known species (Galeodes araneoides) is the one found upon, the Russian 

 and Asiatic Steppes, which is also believed to inhabit Arabia and Egypt, and probably other 

 neighbouring countries, although perhaps described under various names. It measures sometimes two 

 inches in length. In its nocturnal wanderings, as already described, it carries the two pairs of palpi 

 before it and keeps them in constant motion. If they come in contact with anything they are said to 

 emit a phosphorescent light. Should the object touched be gqod to eat, the Galeodes dashes upon it 

 at once, and its powerful nippers soon make an end of all weaker creatures. Even a Lizard, with a 

 body half as long again as itself, was attacked by a Galeodes, seized by the nape, killed, and speedily 

 devoured. Young Musk Hats, and even Bats, shared the same fate ; a Scorpion twice its size was seized 

 at the root of the tail and so disabled and destroyed. The successful combatant in this case, however, 

 subsequently attacked a Scorpion in front, and was seized and at once killed with the sting. Captain 

 Huttoii, who observed an Indian species, probably Galeodes fatalis, confirms these results obtained 

 with the Russian species, and adds that his Spider killed a young Sparrow, but did not eat it. The 

 Solpugidse also fight among themselves, when the conqueror devours his victim ; but the females show 

 considerable care for their young, which they watch assiduously until they are strong enough to take 

 care of themselves. 



Not unnaturally creatures so large and so well furnished with offensive weapons as the ordinary 

 species of this family are regarded with considerable dread in the countries they frequent, and ancient 

 writers even go so far as to declare that parts of India now desert were deprived of their human 

 inhabitants by the fear of these Spiders. From reliable information it appears that their bite is 

 really exceedingly painful, and gives rise, under certain conditions, to very serious symptoms; besides 

 the direct inflammation of the part bitten, temporary paralysis, severe headache, and fainting fits 

 are said to be among the consequences. Domestic animals are also very subject to their attacks, 

 especially camels and sheep, which are either bitten in the feet as they move about, or wounded 

 still more dangerously when they lie down to sleep. The sheep and camels in the summer have 

 their lower surface nearly or quite naked. When they lie down, probably disturbing a Galeodes in 

 his search for prey, he avenges himself at once by a severe bite, the consequences of which are so 

 serious that the bitten animal may even die. These Spiders are fond of living among reeds and 

 sedges, and in consequence of this predilection are often brought into the summer dwellings of the 

 Calmucs and other inhabitants of the steppes, in the construction of which such articles play an 

 important part. In this way their contact with man is greatly facilitated. Some thirty or five-and- 

 thirty .species are described, all of which are very similar in structure and habits. 



ORDER II. ARANEIDA, OR TRUE SPIDERS. 



While the members of the preceding order are for the most part strictly terrestrial in their 

 habits, the true Spiders, to which we have now to turn our attention, exhibit a much greater variety in 

 their mode of life. Many of them, it is true, like the. Arthrogastra just described, dwell habitually on 

 the surface of the ground, concealing themselves under stones and clods of earth, in moss and other 

 vegetable covers, or even in burrows dug out by themselves ; but perhaps an equal number disdain such 

 grovelling habits, wander on trees, shrubs, and plants to any height above the surface, or suspend 

 themselves freely in the air in most ingeniously constructed webs. Some even contrive to get them- 

 selves transported through the air, although they possess no wings, by a very remarkable application 

 of the power of silk-producing, which they possess in so great a degree ; whilst a few even betake 

 themselves to the water, and construct beneath its surface comfortable little habitations of the 

 most singular kind. 



As might be expected in a gi'oup of such varied habits, the organisation of these creatures 

 presents considerable diversity, particularly in regard to external form and details, but the main 

 peculiarities of structure distinguishing the order are very uniformly displayed throughout. The 



