Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 21, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 November 1899 — Spiders of Ceylon. [ARTICLE]

Spiders of Ceylon.

Far up Im the mountains of Geylon there is a spider that spins a web like bright yellowish silk, the central net of which is five feet in diameter, while the supporting lines, or guys, as they are called, measure sometimes ten or twelve feet; and, riding quickly in the early morning, you may dash right into It, the stout threads twining round your face like a lace veil, while, as the creature who has woven it takes up his position in the middle, be generally catches you right in the nose, and, thouh he seldom bites or stings, the contact of his large body and long legs is anything but pleasant. If you forget yourself and try to catch him, bite he will, and, though not venomous, Ms jaws are as powerful as a bird’s beak, and you are not likely to forget the encounter. The bodies of these spiders are very handsomely decorated underneath, being bright gold or scarlet underneath, while the upper part is covered with the most delicate slate-colored fur. So strong are the webs that birds the size of larks are frequently caught therein, and even the small but powerful scaly lizard faits a victim. A writer says that he has often sat and watched the yellow monster—measuring, when waiting for his prey, with his legs stretched out, fully six inches—striding across the middle of the net, and noted the rapid manner In which he winds his stout threads round the unfortunate captive. He usually throws the coils about the head until the wretched victim is first blinded and then choked. In many unfrequented dark nooks of the jungle you come across most perfect skeletons of small birds caught in these terrible snares.—Pittsburg Dispatch.