THE TARANTULA KILLERS OF TEXAS. 
BY DR. G. LINCECUM. 
The Mud Dauber, Pompilus formosus. From SAY. 
An investigation of the extensive family of Mud Daubers 
would be an interesting and instructive study. It would 
necessarily include that of the various types of Spiders, 
from the great hairy Mygale Hentzii, down to the small- 
est, almost microscopic species; for nearly every type of 
Spiders has its special enemy among the Mud Daubers. 
The large, red-winged “Tarantula Killer” (the Pompi. 
lus formosus of Say) is, as far as I know, the largest of 
the dauber group. It takes its prey by stinging, thus 
instantly paralyzing every limb of its victim. The effects 
of the introduction of its venom is as sudden as the snap 
of the electric spark. The wasp then drags it, going back- 
wards to some suitable place, excavates a hole five inches 
deep in the earth, places its great spider in it, deposits 
an egg under one of its legs, near the body, and then 
AMERICAN NAT., VOL. I. 18 
