VEGETABLE POISONS. 183 



hereafter describe as being efficacious in the 

 bites or stings of other venomous insects. 



This animal, which, like other spiders, is made 

 up of two divisions united by a slender thread, 

 the one consisting of the head and breast, the 

 other of the belly, rather exceeds an inch in 

 length, and is of an ash colour on its breast, belly, 

 and legs, and underneath is distinguished by 

 blackish rings. It has eight legs united like that 

 of a lobster ; and eight eyes, two of which are 

 red, are larger than the others, and are placed in 

 front; four others are placed transversely to- 

 wards the mouth ; the other two are nearer the 

 back. This number of eyes seems necessary in 

 an animal whose existence depends upon its 

 activity and vigilance ; and particularly as the 

 eyes are immoveable in the socket, and therefore 

 cannot, when required, turn in different directions. 



Its poisonous mechanism consists of two nip- 

 pers or fangs on the fore part of the head with 

 strong points, toothed like a saw, and terminating 

 in claws like those of a cat. A little below the 

 point of the claw, there is a small hole through 

 which the animal emits the poison ; and from 

 this apparatus, its means of attack and defence 

 are derived. 



It is stated to prefer the bare fields for its 

 haunts, where the lands are fallow ; but I have 

 seen it near houses, and within the yards, and 

 sometimes even in the adjoining apartments. 



