t98 



THE WOLF-SPIDEK 



attributable to a similar cause. As soon as the music ceased to play, the patients ceased to 

 dance, and fell back into the profound stupor from which the brisk sounds had aroused them. 

 The disease was evidently a nervous affection, tending to propagate itself, like chorea and hys- 

 teria at the present day, and, in fact, seems to be little more or less than a rather aggravated 

 form of the former of these maladies — if, indeed, they are not different developments of the 

 same ailments. 



That the tarantismus should be cured by music and consequent dancing, is a natural 

 result. The patient indulged in long and continuous exercise, fell into a violent perspiration, 

 fell exhausted, slept calmly, and awoke cured. The Spider, upon whom the odium of this 

 strange disease rested, is perfectly innocent, being as harmless to man as any other Spider, 

 and only formidable to the insects on which it preys. 



Another species of Lycosa, inhabiting the south of France, has sometimes been confounded 

 with the true Tarantula of Italy. The habits of this species have been carefully studied by 

 M. Olivier, and have afforded some interesting details respecting the economy of the creature. 

 It frequents dry and uncultivated soils, and sinks therein a little pit, of a depth varying with 

 its size and the length of its residence. The interior of this cell is strengthened with a web. 

 At the entrance of this burrow it sits watching for its prey, and as soon as an unfortunate 

 insect passes within range, it darts forward, seizes it in its talons, and bears the victim away 

 to its den, where it feasts in peace and solitude. 



The female is a kind parent, and extremely fond of her eggs and young. She envelopes 

 the eggs in silk, and forms them into a globular ball, which she always carries about with her 

 until the young are hatched. When the time comes for the little spiders to make their 

 appearance in the world, the mother tears open the envelope, and so aids her young to escape. 

 As soon as they are fairly out of the egg, they transfer themselves to the body of their parent, 

 where they cling in such numbers, that she is hardly visible under her swarming brood. They 

 remain with their mother through the winter, and in the following spring the bonds of mutual 

 affection are loosened, and the young disperse to seek their own living. 



A Wolf -spider, termed Lycosa andrenivora, derives its name from its habit of killing 

 the smaller bees, such as the andrena and its kin. It is mostly found in old pastures and 

 commons, and its color is extremely variable, though brown and yellow are the prevailing 

 tints. A very common species {Lycosa campestris) may be seen plentifully in all meadows 

 and pasture-lands, or even on the lawns in our gardens. It is a brisk and nimble creature, 

 running quickly along, as, indeed, is needful for a being that depends on its agility for its 

 living. 



About June, the female has made up her little packet of eggs, inclosed in a snowy-white 

 silken envelope, and carries this burden about wherever she u'oes. Nothing will separate her 



from her eggs. If the packet is forcibly removed, 

 she remains on the spot, hunting in every direction, 

 and evidently suffering great distress ; and if the 

 white ball be laid near her, she soon spies it, darts 

 at it almost fiercely, and carries it off. Her affection 

 for her egg-ball is, however, quite instinctive ; like 

 the feeling which induces a hen to sit upon a piece 

 of white chalk, which she takes for an egg. If a 

 little bit of white cotton-wool be rolled up so as to 

 resemble the lost egg-packet, the spider will seize it 

 and make off with it, not at all suspecting the 

 imposition. 



There are, on an average, about one hundred 

 eggs in each packet. They are quite round, and 

 very tiny, like the palest yellow translucent dust shot; and their silken covering is drawn 

 so tight, that their globular forms give it an appearance of being embossed. The color of this 

 species is greenish -brown, with a few little dark spots, and the body is also banded and spotted 

 with veil owish -brown of various shades, 



V, OLF-SPIDER. -Lycosa sac ata. Female \\i,!i the egg-sac. Mag. 

 nificd representation of the eyes as seen from behind, beneath. 



