In HARPER"S YOUNG PEOPLE No. 12 I read about some curious South American spiders that kill birds, and the other day I read in an English paper an account by Mr. Frank Buckland of an enormous spider which is kept in a gla.s.s case in the London Zoological Gardens, and I thought the little readers of YOUNG PEOPLE might be interested to know about it. This spider, says Mr. Buckland, came from South America. He is about as large as a common house-sparrow with its wings folded, and when he spreads his legs he is a terrible-looking fellow. The whole of his body is covered with dark red-brown hair. He eats c.o.c.kroaches, and spins threads to catch them. He will also kill and suck the blood of young mice when they are given to him. Such a gigantic creature could very easily capture and kill humming-birds. On page 648 you will find a picture of this terrible bird-eating spider.
It is evident that Shakspeare knew of the great strength of certain spiders. In _Measure for Measure_ the Duke says:
"How may likeness, made in crimes, Making practice on the times, Draw with idle spiders" strings Most pond"rous and substantial things!"
These large spiders are very common in Cuba, as well as in South America, and are probably found in all tropical countries. In Cuba lives the big hairy tarantula. Its home is a hole in the ground, and boys often amuse themselves by running pieces of sweet-flag in the hole. The tarantula is fond of sucking the juice of this plant, and will immediately fasten itself to the root, when the boys pull it out and examine the curious creature. There is in Cuba a large flat-bodied spider that lives in trees, and wages terrible warfare on young birds. It is a very common sight in Cuban forests to see these creatures, their long legs grasping a young bird which they have entangled in their strong web, as a devil-fish grasps its prey, and busily engaged in sucking the blood of their helpless victim.
R. R.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS.
We had two mocking-birds, but we were tired of them, and let them fly away. At night they came back for something to eat, so mamma left the cages out, and the next day they went in their cages again.
I am eleven years old. I like YOUNG PEOPLE very much.
MAUD T.
MOLINE, ILLINOIS.
I live on the Mississippi River, which is over a mile wide here. I am thirteen years old, and a reader of YOUNG PEOPLE. I think "The Moral Pirates" is the best story of all.
Two of my companions, Frank and Rob, had read the story; so we made up our minds that instead of cruising we would camp out for a week. Frank"s father owned a large row-boat, which he said we might take, and I took my tent and dog. We laid in enough provisions to last a month.
So after a good deal of trouble we got started. We landed about three miles from here, on the other side of the river. It was a splendid place to camp. The ground was sandy, and was hemmed in by trees. The first night pa.s.sed well enough. The next morning Frank and I rowed across the river for milk. As we were nearing camp on our way back, a large steamboat nearly ran us down. The swell nearly capsized us, and as it was, we got pretty wet.
We concluded that we could not stand that sort of thing, and made up our minds to start for home the next day, where we arrived to be well laughed at.
ED.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.
In HARPER"S MAGAZINE for June, 1873, page 181, it is stated that Betsy Griscom, who was employed to make the first national standard of the United States, suggested that a five-pointed star be used, and showed how a paper could be folded so that the star could be produced by a single cut of the scissors. Can you tell me how it was done?
WILLIAM H. O.
Do any of our young readers know Betsy Griscom"s secret? Let us see who will send the neatest method for making a five-pointed star with one cut of the scissors.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.
I am a reader of YOUNG PEOPLE. It is a grand paper for boys. Can any one tell me where I can get a few silk-worms? I am anxious to make some silk, and see the worms work.
CLARENCE L.
In HARPER"S MAGAZINE for April, 1870, there is an interesting ill.u.s.trated paper on silk-worms, which will give you much information.
No doubt some of our young readers can tell you where you can obtain worms. You will find it easy to take care of them, but a little difficult to make the silk thread, unless you know how to spin, which is not probable. An old lady in a New England country town once had a desire for silk-worms. She procured a number, which she fed on the leaves of a mulberry-tree which grew in her yard. As during her youth she had been taught to spin, she unwound her coc.o.o.ns, and made beautiful silk thread, with which she knitted elegant silk stockings as gifts to her friends. If you are successful in procuring worms, observe their habits carefully, and write about them to the Post-office Box of YOUNG PEOPLE.
CUSSETA, ALABAMA.
I am a little Southern boy. I have three brothers younger than myself. I am afraid we are not always as good as we should be.
Last fall Ben and I ran away, and went with some negroes to pick cotton. When we came home at noon we found mamma crying because she thought we had been stolen, and papa hunting for us. When mamma got through with us we decided not to run away any more. We hunt hickory-nuts and chestnuts in the fall.
Success to YOUNG PEOPLE!
GEORGE B.
The two following letters are from very youthful readers, who print their communications with a pencil:
PEARL CREEK, NEW YORK.
I thought I would write to you. My brother has a snapping-turtle, and a white rabbit with brownish spots on it, and my brother and I have three kittens. I like YOUNG PEOPLE very much, and I like the story of "The Moral Pirates."
EDITH M. P.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA.
I am five years old. I can not read yet, but I get my sister to read the stories in YOUNG PEOPLE. I like them better than any I ever heard. My letter is getting "most too long.
ELLEN H.
JERSEY CITY HEIGHTS, NEW JERSEY.
A short time ago, fresh from the country, I was walking along Cortlandt Street, New York city, when I dimly heard the familiar "Bob White" whistled. "Papa, there"s a quail," I exclaimed.
"Nonsense," replied papa, laughing; "your imagination is lively."
"But," I answered, "I really heard one." "They don"t have quails in the city," said papa; "perhaps some boy or man is imitating the bird." I said no more until right at our elbow the shrill notes "Bob White" startled us both. Papa stopped, exclaiming, "That is a quail, surely." We looked about us, but could see no cage. "That is strange," said papa. Then we looked closer, and saw in a wire inclosure, extended from a cellar window to the sidewalk, an unused basin of an old fountain, filled with plants, while half concealed beneath the foliage were two plump birds, one of which extended his little head and saluted us with familiar notes again.
A little crowd soon gathered, and listened with pleasure to the sweet notes of these feathered beauties, which here in the very centre of the business activities and bustle of the metropolis recalled recollections of woods and rural delights.
EDDIE A. L.
HARPERSFIELD, OHIO.
I am a lame boy. I have hip-disease. One limb is shorter than the other, and I use crutches or a cane. I mean to be a doctor, and make hip-disease a specialty. Grandpa has promised me a nice carriage and harness, and my uncle says he will give me a nice horse when I grow up and get to be a doctor. I am eleven years old now. I must tell you how much I like YOUNG PEOPLE, especially the beautiful pictures.