240 SABITO. 



lianes, spinous Sarsaparillas, tough Supplejacks, and 

 whip-like Cacti, in great numbers. In addition to 

 these obstructions this wood is particularly infested 

 with the great long-bodied Spider with brush-tufted 

 feet {Nephila clavipes), that I have already mentioned 

 as common at Alligator Pond. If we succeed in 

 pushing our way with much difficulty through the 

 briers, our faces are pretty sure to come into contact 

 with the strong threads of these Spiders, and we see 

 them spread over the bushes and between the trees 

 along the road side. The appearance of this beauti- 

 ful Spider I have already described : I will merely 

 add that its web is perpendicular ; the part on which 

 the Spider sits, head downward, is geometric, but 

 this is surrounded on all sides by a vast array of 

 irregular lines, the frame of which consists of com- 

 pound threads, stretching from the surrounding trees 

 and shrubs. Some of these threads are twelve feet 

 long, of a yellow colour, and nearly as thick as 

 sewing silk ; I have found them able to resist a great 

 pressure without breaking. But I think it utterly 

 improbable that the rapid and powerful flight of even 

 our most minute Humming-bird could be for a 

 moment arrested by the web of this or any other 

 Spider. 



One of my servants informed me in September 

 that he had been bitten by one of these large and 

 handsome Spiders. Coming through the woods at 

 early dawn, his face came into collision with one of 

 the strong webs. He stopped to brush it off, and 

 immediately felt some large insect run down his 

 body, which presently bit him on his great toe. The 



