240 
SABITO. 
lianes, spinous Sarsaparillas, tough Supplejacks, and 
whip-like Cacti, in great numbers. In addition to 
these obstructions this wood is particularly infested 
with the great long-bodied Spider with brush-tufted 
feet {Nephila clavipes), that I have already mentioned 
as common at Alligator Pond. If we succeed in 
pushing our way with much difficulty through the 
briers, our faces are pretty sure to come into contact 
with the strong threads of these Spiders, and we see 
them spread over the bushes and between the trees 
along the road side. The appearance of this beauti- 
ful Spider I have already described : I will merely 
add that its web is perpendicular ; the part on which 
the Spider sits, head downward, is geometric, but 
this is surrounded on all sides by a vast array of 
irregular lines, the frame of which consists of com- 
pound threads, stretching from the surrounding trees 
and shrubs. Some of these threads are twelve feet 
long, of a yellow colour, and nearly as thick as 
sewing silk ; I have found them able to resist a great 
pressure without breaking. But I think it utterly 
improbable that the rapid and powerful flight of even 
our most minute Humming-bird could be for a 
moment arrested by the web of this or any other 
Spider. 
One of my servants informed me in September 
that he had been bitten by one of these large and 
handsome Spiders. Coming through the woods at 
early dawn, his face came into collision with one of 
the strong webs. He stopped to brush it ofi*, and 
immediately felt some large insect run down his 
body, which presently bit him on his great toe. The 
