SPIDERS THAT CATCH FISH

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 12075, 14 October 1933, Page 12

SPIDERS THAT CATCH FISH

The seventh volume of the “Transactions of the Rose Research Institute. Calcutta.’’ is written by Sir '•/. (.'. Rose, whose research work on plant, life, has gained for him a worldwide reputation. Here is a curious extract:— Tn a pond of water at Dum bum (in Bengal) f found a large number of diving spiders. Numerous sun-fishes or minnows (Elnssoma zonata) were also swimming about in the same pond. When .frightened, the fishes took shelter under floating leaves, and remained there until ibe danger was over, I uotiecd some four or five such fishes feeding at the edge of a small nymphoicl leaf: a female spider was- also seen, sitting at the centre, of the leaf and watching the fishes patiently for a long time. From ihe attitude of ihe spider a. cursory observer would have concluded that she was absolutely indifferent to the movements of the minnows. The case was, however, very different, for the spider crept very slowly from the centre towards the edge of the leaf by alternately advancing and then stopping for a while. When sufficiently near she suddenly fell upon one of the small fishes; about three-lourths of an inch in length; she caught the fish, by the neck and inserted her poison fangs into it. In vain did the fish struggle to set itself free; the spider was in a. .secure position and succeeded in. dragging the fish on to the leaf, where, after a brief struggle, it became completely paralysed, and died subsequently. I next attempted to photograph these spiders 'in the very act of capturing and devouring the fish. The task proved to be exceedingly difficult. Success, however attended my efforts after I had kept the spiders in a- shallow vessel containing water for five days without any food, so that they became extremely hungry. Alter the spiders had become accustomed to their new surroundings a. number of minnows were introduced into the vessel, in which they swam about vigorously. One of the spiders now caught hold of a fish, and I took tills favourable opportunity to photograph the spider in the process of capturing its prey.