GARDEN SPIDER. 



G75 



Sclerarachne, which even surpasses them in the hardness of its skin. This is a very 

 small species, with six eyes, a native of Cuba, and evidently forms one of the links 

 between the true spiders and the mites. The name Sclerarachne is of Greek origin, and 

 literally signifies " hard-spider." 



During their life-time these spiders literally glitter with resplendent hues, and gleam 

 like living gems set in the deep verdure of the forests. Crimson, azure, emerald, and 

 purple adorn these remarkable Arachnida, and in several species the skin looks exactly as 

 if it were made of burnished gold and silver. After death these glaring colours vanish 

 and change into dull browns and blacks, but in many cases a few relics of the former 



\ 



GARDEN Oil CROSS SPIDER. Eyefro diadtma. 



beauty are still discernible, especially in those specimens where the surface once glittered 

 with metallic radiance. 



A collection of spiders belonging to the genera Acrosoma and Gasteracantha presents 

 a most extraordinary appearance. There seems to be no bound to the variety of spines 

 and spikes with which the bodies of these creatures are armed ; and had it not been for 

 the lack of space, a few illustrations would have been wholly filled with their strange and 

 weird-like forms. The object of these appendages is quite unknown. Some writers have 

 suggested that they may be intended as defensive armour, and given for the purpose of 

 deterring birds from eating them. But this opinion is quite untenable, as there is no 

 reason why they should be thus guarded more than any other spiders. Indeed, this is 

 another of the many mysteries of zoology, which will never be unveiled until we learn 

 to look beneath the surface and to inquire not only the object of a colour or formation, 

 but its meaning. 



IN the illustration of the GAEDEN-SPIDEE, both sexes are given, in order to show their 

 different shape and comparative dimensions. The female is one of the fiercest Amazons 

 of the spider race; and in case she should object to the attentions of her intended spouse, 

 he must needs flee for his life, a feat which he generally performs by flinging himself out 



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