118 HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



but very powerful legs, and a most formidable pair of fangs. 

 These fangs are notable for the fact that their bases are furnished 

 with a series of sharply-pointed barbs. This peculiarity has 

 given to the spider the generic name of Cteniza, this title being 

 derived from a Greek word signifying a comb. The abdomen is 

 very large, round, and firm, and from its tip project the spin- 

 nerets, by means of which the silken tunnel is made. Altogether, 

 it has so crustacean an aspect, that, in common with many other 

 species, it is called by the French the Crab-spider. The length 

 of the specimen now before me is about an inch and a quarter, 

 exclusive of the legs. 



It is nocturnal in its habits, and during the night it leaves its 

 burrow and hunts for prey. Insects of various kinds fall victims 

 to this spider, and at the bottom of its tunnel may be found the 

 relics of its feast, often including the remains of tolerably large 

 beetles. If, when it is within its home, the lid be lifted gently, 

 the spider hastens to the entrance, hooks its hind legs to the 

 silken lining of the lid, and the fore legs to the side of the tube, 

 and resists with all its might. Some writers have averred that 

 it employs the curved fangs for this purpose, and that the comb- 

 like array of barbs is useful in giving it a stronger hold ; but a 

 very slight examination of the spider wiU show that such an 

 action would be impossible, and that even if the fangs were 

 hitched into the sUk, the barbs would have no effect whatever on 

 the firmness of the hold. 



Nothing short of actual violence wiU induce the Trap-door 

 Spider to vacate the premises which it so courageously defends. 

 It will permit the earth to be excavated around its burrow, and 

 the whole nest to be removed, without deserting its home ; and 

 in this manner specimens have been removed and placed in 

 positions where their proceedings could be watched. Some few 

 months ago, several examples of the Trap-door Spider and its 

 nest were to be seen in the reptile-room of the Zoological 

 Gardens. Boldly as the spider guards its home, and energetic 

 as it is while engaged in defence, it is no sooner removed from 

 the burrow than it loses all its activity, remains fixed to the spot 

 as if stupified, or, at the best, walks languidly about without 

 appearing to have any definite object in view. 



Trap-door Spiders inhabit many parts of the world. In the 

 British Museum is a curious specimen of a nest, which is 



