140 THE TARANTULA KILLERS OF TEXAS. 
towards the intruder. She is quite tame, and will come 
familiarly in and about one’s yard and house, dragging 
the prostrate Mygale under the floor, where she hides it 
from the intrusion of other Tarantula Killers, who would, 
if they could find it, take out the egg and put one of their 
own in its place, as they are remarkable for such thieving 
propensities. 
The Mygale Hentzii, on the other hand, sometimes suc- 
ceeds in capturing his great enemy, as I once noticed. 
When first observed, the Mygale had the Tarantula Kil- 
ler, still alive, in his mouth, holding it by the back. The 
Tarantula seemed to be greatly elated at its success, 
which it manifested by capering about, and performing 
various other antics, such as running suddenly at any thing 
or person that came near it, holding on to his victim all 
the time. The Tarantula Killer appeared to be conscious 
of her condition, and was, as far as I could discern, fully 
resigned to her fate, remaining perfectly quiet. I regret- 
ted that I could not wait to witness the finale of this af- 
fair : such cases do not often occur. 
The Tarantula Killers have severe fights with each 
other. It occasionally happens, when one of them suc- 
and makes a violent effort to get possession of the para- 
lyzed spider., A fight ensues, which occasionally termi- 
both parties; at other times the con- 
party drives 
