IMMENSE SPIDERS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2282, 16 November 1889, Page 3

IMMENSE SPIDERS

+ Far np the mountains of Ceylon and Indli there ia a aplder that nplni ft web like bright yellowish Bilk, the oentral net of whloh la five feet la diameter, while the supporting llnec, or guyn, aa they are called, measo.ro aometlmea ten or twelve feet : and riding qulokly In the early morning yoa m»y dash right Into It, the stout threads twining aroand your face like • laoe veil while, as the oreatuie wlo boB woven 1< takei up b!a position In the mddle, he generally oatohea yon right on the nosa, and, though be seldom bites or itlngß, tbe oontaofc of hl« large body ll§ Wl \m U »»yth|Dg bflt (lOMWnti

If yOU fjigOD yoUiudlt bud try 1.0 C*.lOC> him, bltu he wlil, and, though not vciio- ( mouß. his jaws are bb powerful oa a bird's boak, and you are Dot likoy to forget the encountoc. The bo:lioa of ihoao epldor* aro voty hacdaouaoiy docon>tcd, fcoing bright gold or uoarlut uadornsatfj, wh 1 1 the upper part Is covered with tho most delicate aiato coloured fur. 8> strong ore tho wobs that birds tho dz ) of lark* aro frequently caught theroln, and cv n the email, but powerfn 1 , tcaly Iz.rd falls * victim. Ho usually throwa the ojllb about (he heed till the wretched viotltn 1» firs', blinded and then choked. la rnauy unfrequented dark nooks of the jungle you ouino aoiroea most perftO'. tkolotoiib ol uDiull^birdn caught In iheao terrible Boaroe, the atroug fold** of which pciV»nt the delicate boudß from failing lo ihe ground nf Ur the wlud said woathdr huvo olßpecßed tao fljth and f oft 1 hero.