The Misanthropic Spider.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIX, Issue VII, 16 August 1902, Page 441

The Misanthropic Spider.

Spiders are an unsociable, misanthropical race at the best of times, and usually regard each other with the most uncompromising aversion. This embitters all social intercourse,

so that a spider, wandering by acctdent into his brother’s web, is received in a manner that if “a little more than kin,” is certainly “less than kind.” Instead of hospitably entertaining his visitor, mine host either drops by a fine thread and disappears from view or promptly prepares to fight him. Eviction is not his object, but capture, with ulterior designs upon the body, which, with a wise forethought, the master of the house already destines for the larder. But, putting aside these prudent considerations, it is a grand

—albeit a savage—sight to witness the encounter when the combatants are well matched for size and strength. The cautious advance, with a delicate testing of threads on both sides; the wily feint, followed by a precipitate retreat, and wild dangling of the hero suspended in mid-air; and then the headlong rush and death-grapple, hand-to-hand, foot-to-foot, which is rendered very impressive when six legs are brought into active requisition at once ok either side.