234 THE ADVENTURES OF 



under a stone an enormous black and hairy spider, with feet 

 armed with double-hooked claws. 



" Isn't this a tarantula, M. Sumichrast % " 



" No, my boy, it is a bird-catching spider — so called because it 

 is said to attack the humming-birds' nests and destroy the young 

 ones." 



"May I catch it?" 



" Not with your fingers ; its bite is dangerous." 



" One might easily fancy it was watching us from the expres- 

 sion of those two big eyes near its mouth.'' 



" There is no doubt that it is looking at us ; just menace it 

 with this little stick, and you'll soon see it assume the defensive." 



The enormous spider raised its front feet, and two black and 

 polished horns issued from its mouth. After a moment's hesita- 

 tion, it suddenly darted at the end of the stick, which Lucien let 

 go in fright. 



Ten or twelve paces farther on, the young naturalist discovered 

 another spider, and plied me with numerous questions about it. 

 I could only give him a few general facts as to this curious class 

 of animals. 



'' But, I say, papa, there must be a great many diiferent 

 species of spiders, for I see some at every step — green, black, and 

 yellow. " 



" There are so many species that all of them are not yet 

 known ; indeed, I believe that the Mexican spiders have not 

 hitherto been described. It is necessary to study them on the 

 spot, for their soft bodies change their shape in drying, and the 

 proper means of preserving them are not within the reach of an 

 ordinary traveller." 



In passing along, I broke through some threads of a light web 

 stretching between two bushes. The proprietor of the web — a 

 gray spider — immediately made his appearance, and set hurriedly 

 to work to repair the involuntary damage I had committed. 



" Where does the thread come from t " asked Lucien ; " it is 

 .so thin that I can scarcely see it.'' 



" From four reservoirs situated at the lower part of the spider's 

 abdomen, and filled with a gummy matter which becomes solid 



