NATURAL HISTORY. 
253 
tJurAber, fparkllng and placed on the crown 
of the head : the legs are long, yellow, en- 
circled with dark brown, and fu'rnilhed with 
briftles. 
The TARANTULA. 
T UlS infeft being of this genils, and 
much refemblingahoiife fpider, we fluil 
clofe our brief fyftem of infefts, with a few 
words on this extraordinary animal. The bi^j 
of it, in hot countries, producing the molt 
aftonifliing effects, naturally firll arrefts our 
attention. The quantity of the poifon emitted 
into the wound, is too inconfiderable to rend- 
er it immediately perceptible; but, as it 
ferments, it caufes, in about five or fix 
months, the moft frightful diforders. d'he 
perfon bit, at this time laughs and dances 
Inceflantly, is all agitation, and alTumes a 
moft extravagant fpecies of gaiety ; or elfe 
is alBifted with a moft difinal melancholy. 
At the return of the period when the bite 
Was given, the madnefs renews ; and the 
diftempered patty repeats his former incon- 
fiftencies, by fancying himfclf a king, or a 
fhepherd, or fome other charader, according 
as his fliipwrecked rcalon is driven againlt 
the rocks of abfurdity. He has no regular 
train of thought ; all his mind and feelings 
»re but a chaos of wildncfs and extrava- 
Y gance. 
