280 AMERICAN SPIDERS AND THEIR SPINNINGWORK. 
at once seized by the fore feet as it struggles in the web, swung around 
towards the spinnerets, and wrapped up. It is only in the case of partic- 
ularly large and formidable insects that the stroke is adminis- 
yeaa tered, and that after they have been partially disarmed by en- 
Sie swathment. In fact, I believe that Orbweavyers, at least, are quite 
chary about coming into such close quarters with large insects as 
would permit the use of fangs. It is true, as I have fully illustrated, that 
spiders do hang an enswathed victim to a portion of their snares that they 
may feed upon it at their leisure; but even when immediately fed upon, 
as is ordinarily the case, the same enswathment is practiced. 
If we turn to the Wandering group of spiders, who stalk their prey, it 
is doubtless true that when one springs upon its victim it often strikes it 
with its fangs. But this is certainly not the universal practice, for I have 
often observed insects simply seized by the feet and at once carried around 
to the mouth and eaten without any more ceremony. This is commonly 
the case with the large Mygalide from our Southwestern States kept by 
me in artificial conditions. Grasshoppers fed to them, for example, are 
generally struck down or seized with the fore feet without any application 
of the fangs. Perhaps the superior vigor of the spider in this case renders 
such action entirely unnecessary. 
On the whole view of the subject I must say that I am in doubt as to 
what special use the poison gland and apparatus can be to the spider in 
ordinary cases, and am inclined to think that it is a sort of re- 
serve weapon for special exigencies, and is sparingly used. It 
appears to be unnecessary for ordinary purposes of capturing 
food, especially with the Sedentary groups, but is apparently of greater im- 
portance to the Wandering groups, who stalk their prey afield. Yet, even 
in such cases, it would seem that the puncture of the fangs without any 
poisonous injection is sufficient to fulfill every requirement for sustaining 
and defending life. 
Nevertheless, the fact remains that the spider is furnished with a poi- 
son gland and apparatus somewhat resembling that of venomous serpents, 
and I have too much confidence in the wise economy of force | 
Influence nd material in nature, to suppose that so perfect an organ 
ch gece could be without some useful function in the life economy of 
dition, the aranead. Reasoning from analogy of other venomous ani- 
mals, serpents for example, it is probably true that much of the 
effect of spider venom depends upon the condition of the spider itself as 
to degree of irritation, etc., at the time when the stroke is given. On the 
other hand, the physical condition of the person bitten also largely deter- 
mines the effect of the bite. That which is harmless to one individual 
we know is often injurious or fatal to another; and that which at one 
period of life may produce serious results, at another time is compara- 
tively harmless, It is therefore probably true that there are a few of our 
A Reserve 
Weapon. 
