The Tarantulas 



13 



to our northern ports in shipments of bananas and other tropical 

 produce, and are the source of much alarm. It should be mentioned, 

 however, that the large spider most frequently found under such cir- 

 cumstances is not a tarantula at all, but one of the Heteropodidas, or 

 giant crab-spiders, (fig. 8). 



In spite of their prominence and the fear which they arouse there 

 are few accurate data regarding these American tarantulas. It has 



8. The giant crab-spider or banana spider (Heteropoda venatoria) . 

 Natural size. After Comstock. 



often been shown experimentally that they can kill small birds and 

 mammals, though it is doubtful if these form the normal prey of any 

 of the species, as has been claimed. There is no question but that 

 the mere mechanical injury which they may inflict, and the consequent 

 chances of secondary infection, justify, in part, their bad reputation. 

 In addition to the injury from their bite, it is claimed that the body 

 hairs of several of the South American species are readily detached 

 and are urticating. 



Recently, Phisalix (19 12) has made a study of the physiological 

 effects of the venom of two Avicularoidea, Phormictopus carcerides 

 Pocock, from Haiti and Cteniza sauvagei Rossi,- from Corsica. The 

 glands were removed aseptically and ground up with fine, sterilized 

 sand in distilled water. The resultant Hquid was somewhat viscid, 

 colorless, and feebly alkaline. Injected into sparrows and mice the 



