CFIAPTER VI. 



BURROWING SPIDERS. 



The ScoKPlON and its habits — The burrow of the Scorpion — How detected — 

 Siiicide among the Scorpions — Spiders and their burrows — The Atypus— 

 Madame Merian and her book of the Bird Si-idee — Mr. Bates' Discoveries 

 —Hair of the Bird Spider — The Tarantula — Its ferocity and courage — The 

 Tr^p-door Spider — Its tunnel and the lining thereof — Its appearance under 

 the microscope — The "Trap-door" itself, and its structure — Curious example 

 of instinct— Activity of the Spider — Specimen in the British Museum — Strength 

 and obstinacy of the Trap-door Spider — An Australian Trap-door Spider. 



Amoxg the burrowers belonging to this order may be reckoned 

 the well-kno^vn ScoEPiON, of which there are several species, 

 resembling each other in their general appearance, their struc- 

 ture and their habits. 



Scorpions are found in all the warmer portions of the globe, 

 and under the tropics they may be said to swarm. They are, as 

 a general rule, intolerant of light, creeping by day into every 

 cranny that can shelter them from the unwelcome sunbeams, 

 and often causing very great annoyance by this custom. Old tra- 

 vellers, who have learned by experience the habits of these crea- 

 tures, do not retire to rest before they have carefully examined the 

 bed and surrounding furniture, especially taking up the pillow, 

 and seeing that no enemy has lodged within the folds of the 

 bedding. The left hand is generally employed in lifting the clothes, 

 while the right is armed with a boot-jack, or stout shoe, or some 

 other convenient weapon, with which the Scorpion may be 

 immolated to the just wrath of its discoverer before it can nm 

 off and hide itself afresh. Shoes, boots, and gloves are also 

 favourite resorts of the Scorpion, which has caused many an in- 

 experienced traveller to buy future caution at rather a dear rate. 



Scorpions may be found everywhere, under every stone, and 

 in every crevice ; and it not unfrequently liappens that wlien a 



