SOMETHING ABOUT SPIDERS. named Reaumur calculated that a thousand of the holes from which the threads issue, would occupy no more space than is covered by the point of a pin. The threads themselves are so minute that Leowenhoeck calculated that four millions of them would be required to form a thread as large as a hair of his beard. The many fibres of the thread are best seen at the points of attachment on supporting objects. The sketch (fig. 3) shows such a termination, the threadlets being spread out at the upper part so as to form a sort of disc. Fig. 4 shows the spinnerets of a spider very highly magnified, and the web Fig. 4. making material issuing in numerous streams. In the air these lines of fluid harden to threads. The spider's claws serve a useful purpose in web making. In figure 5 are sketched three forms of claws, all of them resembling combs. With these the creature straightens, arranges and twists the threads as the web grows. The silk may be spun and reeled from the living spider. An American observer 45 thread sustained a weight of over fifty grains. One kind of garden spider, the common Epeira (Epeira vulgaris) is shown in figure 6. This creature shows curious markings upon its back. In temperate climes these figures are dull in color, but among tropical spiders of this family they are often of brilliant hue. Some of the webs of Epeiridae are of enormous size, and most of them are strikingly symmetrical in form and beautiful in texture. The webs of different spiders vary greatly in shape. The house spider (figure 1) spins in corners; the web being usually of Fig. 6. a triangular shape, and of close fabric. When suspended it looks not unlike a miniature hammock of fine silk. Crossing from side to side above the web are a number of threads, so arranged that flies endeavoring to pass between them are sure to become entangled, and to fall upon the web beneath. The house spider usually builds a portion of the web behind some object, such as a piece of furniture, thus providing a place of concealment. absence of such an object the little worker constructs a funnelshaped den, in which she lies in In the wait, and from. Fig. 5, describes his success with a spider from the Southern States. By placing one of the creatures in a frame of pasteboard, and drawing the thread, he obtained from it a thousand yards of silk, and from another over two miles were reeled. The experimenter tested the strength of the fibre, and found that a single construct a conical nest, from which a tunnel leads to a fine spun web, expanded on the surface of the ground. One of the finest of full spiders of this class is the wolf spider, (figure 7), which sometimes attains such a size that a single specimen with legs extended will cover an area of four or five inches circumference. An allied species includes Fig. 8. the common hunting spider, an outline of which is given in figure 8. This particular sketch was taken from a European specimen (Dolomedes mirabilis). This spider here referred to produces but little silk; just enough to form a case for the eggs, and a female of the species may often be seen carrying a packet of eggs, larger than her own body. The hunting of a cell with silk-covered walls; the entrance to which is barricaded by a network of cords. A very large and famous hunting spider is the Tarantula, fine specimens of which may be taken in our Utah fields and canyons. Figure 9 is a sketch of a spider of this sort, which measured nearly two inches in length of body and covered with extended legs an area of twelve inches in circumference. The name Tarantula was given to the spider from a mistaken notion that its bite caused within the victim a nervous disorder which could be cured only by dancing the "Tarentella," a peculiarly rapid measure. Very exaggerated tales have been told of the venom of spiders, and especially of the Tarantula. The bite of Fig. 10. most spiders is poisonous to the small insects upon which they feed; but even the largest spiders have power to inflict but slight wounds which are not particularly dangerous to human beings. Should there be reason to fear the results of a spider bite, let the wound be sucked if conveniently situated; then wash the affected part and apply a little very dilute ammonia water, or in its absence any simple alkali such as soda or potassa. One of the largest and fiercest of hunting spiders is commonly known as the spider crab, more properly as the Mygale. It is found in tropical and semi-tropical SOMETHING ABOUT SPIDERS. lands. These spiders produce but little silk, and take but slight care in the way of fitting up their houses, being usually content with a hollow beneath a stone. They are among the strongest of spiders, single ones having been known to kill small lizards and even birds. Fig. 10 shows a spider of this class (Mygale cancerides) in the act of sucking the juices from the body of a humming bird. It is said by travelers that children in the countries inhabited by the Mygales, catch Fig. 11. the spiders, tie cords about their bodies and lead them as we would a little dog. One of the liveliest, and perhaps also one of the prettiest of common spiders is sketched in figure 11, it is as familiarly known as the jumping spider (Altus familiaris). Large numbers of these may sometimes be found on outside walls and fences, and even within rooms. Many of them are curiously marked, and are disguised by resemblances to Fig. 12. 47 called by some mason spiders, and by others trapdoor spiders. Figure 12 shows such a nest in section; the opening of a second burrow is seen near by. A more detached view of the upper part of this wonderful nest with its well-fitting door is sketched in figure 13; and figure 14 shows the ingenious but unpretentious little builder itself. The lining of the burrow is usually of two layers, the inner one being very smooth and soft; while the other is coarse and rough. The lid or door is made to fit accurately, and is so adjusted that it falls shut by its own weight. When the spider is within, should danger threaten, it is able to hold the door forcibly in its place. Figure 12 shows on the inside of the lid the marks of the spider's claws. When the creature leaves its nest to seek food, it conceals the entrance with leaves and other small loose objects so that the discovery of the burrow is ordinarily impossible except by accident. Fig. 13. Among queer spiders, the long-legged harvest spider, or harvestman (figure 15) is remarkable, mainly because of the peculiarity expressed in the first part of its name. Fig 16 shows the details of its body, with extremities cut off. This spider is met with in the central and southern parts of the United States. The longest legs are the second pair; There are several Fig. 14, certain insects, so that even naturalists forms of water spihave been deceived. In stalking their ders; of these one prey these little creatures exhibit the of the most wonskill and patience of professional hunters. derful is the diving-bell spider, figure Watch one of them, you may learn more 17. This little animal constructs a silken by so doing than by reading pages on chamber like an inverted cup, about the the subject. A certain class of spiders construct their homes in the earth by digging a burrow, lining it with silk, and fitting at the opening a hinged door. These are size of a hazel nut; this it fills with air and by its aid safely descends to the bottom of the streams and ponds. It is interesting to watch the spider filling its bell with air. By rising to the sur face of the water it entangles air between the hairs of its body; and with this it descends to the bell and allows the bubbles to rise into the cell; these acts it repeats till the chamber is filled. Within this crystal cell it lives beneath the water, a thing of beauty and of wonder. From this fairy home it darts forth to seize any small insect that may venture near; the victim is taken to the cell and Fig. 15. there devoured at leisure. Another aquat c spider constructs a raft from weeds and other small floating bodies. On this it rests, and drifts upon the water where the wind and tide may carry it, seizing any prey that may come within reach. The gossamer threads, which are seen in abundance floating in the air during spring, summer and autumn months, are spun by a peculiar class of spiders. One kind is in the habit of spinning a thread and allowing the gossamer line to float till it catches upon some distant object; then the little creature runs along the thread, strengthening it by spinning a second one as it goes. Another kind of spider pays out the line, allowing the free end to float till it acquires sufficient buoyancy to bear the animal aloft. Gilbert White says of these aerial travelers "Every day in fine autumnal weather, do I see these spiders shooting out their web and mounting aloft. They will go off from your finger if you will take them in your hand. Last summer one alighted on my book as I STUDIES FROM FROISSART. AT THE SIEGE OF CALAIS. THE exploits of the English Chivalry which occupy several hundred pages of the Chronicles are introduced in the following words: "To encourage all val orous hearts and to show them honorable examples I, John Froissart will begin to relate the actions of the noble King Edward III. of England, who so potently reigned, and who was engaged in so many battles and perilous adventures from the year of grace 1326, when he was crowned king." After paying a tribute of praise to King Edward's valiant comrades, naming chief among them, the Prince of Wales, the king's son, the Duke of Lancaster, Sir Reginald Lord Cobham, Sir Walter Manny of Hainault, Sir John Chandos and Sir Fulke Harley; and of their opponents writing that "in France, also, was found good chivalry, strong of limb and stout of heart, in great abundance; such as King Philip of Valois and his son King John, John, King of Bohemia, Charles, Count of Alençon, the Count of Foix and many others," Froissart records the following clear statement of the contention of the King of England for the throne of France. "King Edward II. had married the daughter of Philip the Fair, King of France, who was one of the greatest beauties of her time, and by her had two sons and two daughters. The elder son was our noble king, Edward, the other named John, died young. Of the two daughters the elder was married to King David of Scotland, and the younger to Count Reginald. History tells us that Philip the Fair, had three sons, besides his beautiful daughter Isabella the wife of Edward II. These sons in turn all be came King of France and died without male issue. Whereupon the prince and barons of France, holding the opinion that no woman ought to reign in so noble a kingdom, determined to pass by Queen Isabella and her son, and to confer the government on Philip of Valois; which exclusion of Isabella from the right of succession to the throne of France became the occasion of the most de vastating wars as well in France as elsewhere, and the real object of this history is to relate the great enterprises and deeds of arms achieved in these wars.” After the famous battle of Cressy, in which the French lost eleven princes, twelve hundred knights and thirty thousand men, left dead on the battlefield, Edward marched his vic-` torious army to the strong town of Calais, which he had determined to besiege. When the governor of Calais saw the preparations of the King of England, he collected all the poorer inhabitants and sent them out of the town, in order that the provisions of the place might last the longer; he resolved, moreover, to defend the town to the last. The siege lasted a long time, during which many noble feats of arms and adventures happened. On several occasions the King of France attempted to raise the siege, but Edward had so guarded the passes that he could not possibly approach the town. The people of Calais all this time suffered very greatly from want of food; and when they found there were no hopes of succor they entreated the governor to surrender the place, upon condition that their lives were spared. Edward, at first, was unwilling to accept anything but an unconditional surrender of all the inhabitants to his will; at the remonstrance of Sir Walter Manny, however, the king finally agreed to have placed at his absolute disposal six only of the principal citizens, who were to come out to him with their heads and feet bare, with ropes around their necks, and the keys of the town and castle in their hands; upon this being complied with, the rest were to receive his pardon. After some hesitation, six citizens were found ready to purchase the freedom of their fellow sufferers upon these hard terms. They left the town in the way appointed by the king, who received them with angry looks, and ordered their heads to be struck off without delay; all who were present entreated him to have mercy; but he replied that |