5 6 4 
THE SPIDER. 
vities upon the back, bj which it may eafily be diftin- 
guiibed f. Between the nails of the feet there iffues a 
clammy liquor, by which it is enabled to climb up glafs 
and other fmooth furfaces. The web of this fpecies is 
conftfufted of much finer threads. It is faid to poflefs 
fix mufcular nipples, each having a thoufand orifices for 
letting out tile threads J. If this be true, each filament 
of the fpider’s web mult confift of fix thoufand threads, 
which, when united, are fcarcely vifible to the naked 
eye. 
To this tribe is commonly referred the tarantula, the 
the largeft fpider known in Europe ; but rendered ftill 
more remarkable by the extraordinary qualities which 
credulity has aferibed to it. It is three quarters of an 
inch in length, the body covered all over with down, 
generally of an olive duiky brown. The external parts 
refemble thofe of the reft of the genus : It lias eight eyes 
and as many legs ; the front armed with ferrated pincers. 
The bite of the tarantula is faid, but without founda- 
tion, to be attended with fatal confequences. After vio- 
lent pains and ficknefs, the unhappy viftim is feized with 
an involuntary laughter; dances without intermiffion, ex- 
hibiting all the fymptoms of infanity. At the return of 
the feafon in which he was bit, the patient’s madnefs 
begins again to appear ; and tbefe troubleforne relapfes, 
after having recurred for feveral years, at laft terminate 
in death. 
Mufic and dancing, as the fisftion proceeds, is the only 
remedy for this dreadful malady. The mufician begins 
to play a tune famous for the cure, flow at firft, but in- 
creafing 
f Fauna Swecica. | Vide Reaumur, Ba'but, and Goldlmith. 
