452 SUPPLEMENT 



The araneides, that cause so great a destruction of flies 

 and other insects, are not without their enemies. Birds, and 

 some insects feed their young with them. Many species of 

 wasps, the sphenges, carry them off from the middle of their 

 webs to bring them to their larvae. The slightest wound which 

 a spider receives, effectually puts it out of all condition for 

 battle, and it dies in a short time after having received it. 



According to the observations of Romberg, the domestic 

 spiders are subject to a malady which makes them appear 

 hideous. Their body becomes covered with scales, bristling 

 one above the other, and among which species of mites are 

 discovered. When the spider walks, it shakes itself, and 

 throws off part of the scales and of the insects. This malady 

 seldom occurs to the spiders of cold countries. The author 

 wdiom we have cited, says, that he has never observed it but 

 in those which are found in the kingdom of Naples. 



The body of the araneides is in general hairy, with colours 

 most frequently sombre, and forms far from agreeable ; women, 

 children, and even men, have an insurmountable repugnance 

 to them. This aversion is not founded merely on the ugliness 

 of these animals; it is also caused by the opinion that their 

 bites are dangerous. Many authors, in fact, relate, that dif- 

 ferent persons have died after having been bitten by them. 

 Other testimonies, however, combat the preceding. Clerk 

 and Lebon, who were often bitten by araneides, assure us that 

 they never felt any other inconvenience from their wounds 

 than what might be occasioned by gnats, and some insects, 

 whose stings produce upon the skin a trifling inflammation 

 and itching. Degeer is also of opinion, that the araneides 

 of Europe are formidable only to flies and other insects. 

 With regard to the pretended mortal bite of the tarantula, a 

 species of lycosa, which is found in the most southern parts 

 of France, and in Italy, of which so many authors have made 

 mention, and on which Baglivi has more especially written; 



