Curious Facts in the History of Insects; Including Spiders and Scorpions Part 34

Jamieson, in his Scottish Dictionary, gives _sun-dew webs_ as a name given in the South of Scotland to the gossamer.

The Swedes call a cobweb _dwaergsnaet_, from _dwaerg_, a species of malevolent fairy or demon; very ingenious, and supposed often to a.s.sume the appearance of a Spider, and to form these nets. The peasants of that country say, _Jorden naetjar sig_, "the earth covers itself with a net,"

when the whole surface of the ground is covered with gossamer, which, it is commonly believed, indicates the seedtime.[1180]

Voss, in a note on his Luise (iii. 17), says that the popular belief in Germany is, that the gossamers are woven by the Dwarfs. Keightley thinks the word gossamer is a corruption of _gorse_, or _goss samyt_, _i.e._ the _samyt_, or finely-woven silken web that lies on the _gorse_ or furze.[1181]

A learned man and good natural philosopher, and one of the first Fellows of the Royal Society, Robert Hooke, the author of _Micrographia_, gravely remarked in his scientific disquisition on the gossamer, that it "was not unlikely, but those great white clouds, that appear all the summer time, may be of the same substance!!"[1182]

The following well-authenticated incident is told by Turner as having occurred when he was a young pract.i.tioner: A certain young woman was accustomed, when she went into the vault after night, to go Spider-hunting, as she called it, setting fire to the webs of Spiders, and burning the insects with the flame of the candle. It happened at length, however, after this whimsey had been indulged a long time, one of the persecuted Spiders sold its life much dearer than those hundreds she had destroyed, and most effectually cured her of her idle cruel practice; for, in the words of Dr. James, "lighting upon the melted tallow of her candle, near the flame, and his legs becoming entangled therein, so that he could not extricate himself, the flame or heat coming on, he was made a sacrifice to his cruel persecutor, who, delighting her eyes with the spectacle, still waiting for the flame to take hold of him, he presently burst with a great crack, and threw his liquor, some into her eyes, but mostly upon her lips; by means of which, flinging away her candle, she cried out for help, as fancying herself killed already with the poison." In the night the woman's lips swelled excessively, and one of her eyes was much inflamed. Her gums and tongue were also affected, and a continual vomiting attended. For several days she suffered the greatest pain, but was finally cured by an old woman with a preparation of plantain leaves and cobwebs applied to the eyes, and taken inwardly two or three times a day.

Before this accident happened to her, this woman a.s.serted that the smell of the Spiders burning oftentimes so affected her head, that objects about her seemed to turn round; she grew faint also with cold sweats, and sometimes a light vomiting followed, yet so great was her delight in tormenting these creatures, and driving them from their webs, that she could not forbear, till she met with the above narrated accident.[1183]

A similar story is related by Nic. Nicholas of a man he saw at his hotel in Florence, who, burning a large black Spider in the flame of a candle, and staying for some time in the same room, from the fumes arising, grew feeble, and fell into a fainting fit, suffering all night great palpitation at the heart, and afterward a pulse so very low as to be scarcely felt.[1184]

Several monks, in a monastery in Florence, are said to have died from the effects of drinking wine from a vessel in which there was afterward found a drowned Spider.[1185]

There are two animals to which the Italians give the name Tarantula: the one is a species of Lizard, whose bite is reputed mortal, found about Fondi, Cajeta, and Capua; the other is a large Spider, found in the fields in several parts of Italy, and especially at Tarentum--hence the name. "Such as are stung by this creature (the _Aranea Tarantula_),"

says Misson, "make a thousand different gestures in a moment; for they weep, dance, tremble, laugh, grow pale, cry, swoon away, and, after a few days of torment, expire, if they be not a.s.sisted in time. They find some relief by sweating and antidotes, but _music_ is the great and specific remedy. A learned gentleman of unquestionable credit told me at Rome, that he had been twice a witness both of the disease and of the cure. They are both attended with circ.u.mstances that seem very strange; but the matter of fact is well attested, and undeniable."[1186] Such is the story generally told, believed, and unquestioned, that has found its way into the works of many learned travelers and naturalists, but which is without the slightest shadow of truth.

"I think I could produce," continues the deluded Misson, "natural and easy reasons to explain this effect of music; but without engaging myself in a dissertation that would carry me too far, I shall content myself with relating some other instances of the same kind: Every one knows the efficacy of David's harp to restore Saul to the use of his reason. I remember Lewis Guyon, in his Lessons, has a story of a lady of his acquaintance, who lived one hundred and six years without ever using any other remedy than music; for which purpose she allowed a salary to a certain musician, whom she called her physician; and I might add that I was particularly acquainted with a gentleman, very much subject to the gout, who infallibly received ease, and sometimes was wholly freed from his pains by a loud noise. He used to make all his servants come into his chamber, and beat with all their force upon the table and floor; and the noise they made, in conjunction with the sound of the violin, was his sovereign remedy."[1187]

In the Treasvrie of Avncient and Moderne Times, printed in London, the year 1619, we find the following: "_Alexander Alexandrinus_ proceedeth farther, affirming that he beheld one wounded by this Spider, to dance and leape about incessantly, and the Musitians (finding themselves wearied) gave over playing: whereupon, the poore offended dancer, hauing vtterly lost all his forces, fell downe on the ground, as if he had bene dead. The Musitians no sooner began to playe againe, but hee returned to himselfe, and mounting vp vpon his feet, danced againe as l.u.s.tily as formerly hee had done, and so continued dancing still, til hee found the harme a.s.swaged, and himselfe entirely recovered. Heereunto he addeth, that when it hath happened, that a man hath not beene thorowly cured by Musique in this manner; within some short while after, hearing the sound of Instruments, hee hath recouered footing againe, and bene enforced to hold on dancing, and never to cea.s.se, till his perfect and absolute healing, which (questionlesse) is admirable in nature."[1188]

Robert Boyle, in his Usefulness of Natural Philosophy, among other stories of the power of music upon those bitten by Tarantulas, mentions the following: "_Epiphanius Ferdinandus_ himself not only tells us of a man of 94 years of age, and weak, that he could not go, unless supported by his staff, who did, upon the hearing of musick after he was bitten, immediately fall a dancing and capering like a kid; and affirms that Tarantulas themselves may be brought to leap and dance at the sound of lutes, small drums, bagpipes, fiddles, etc.; but challenges those, that believe them not, to come and try, promising them an occular conviction: and adds what is very memorable and pleasant, that not only men, in whom much may be ascribed to fancy, but other animals being bitten, may likewise, by musick, be reduced to leap or dance: for he saith, he saw a Wasp, which being bitten by a Tarantula, whilst a lutanist chanced to be by; the musician, playing upon his instrument gave them the sport of seeing both the Wasp and Spider begin to dance: Annexing, that a bitten c.o.c.k did the like."[1189]

In an Italian n.o.bleman's palace, Skippon saw a fellow who was bitten by a Tarantula; "he danced," says this traveler, "very antickly, with naked swords, to a tune played on an instrument." The Italians say that if the Spider be immediately killed, no such effects will appear; but as long as it lives, the person bitten is subject to these paroxysms, and when it dies he is free. Skippon says that usually they are the poorer sort of people who say they are bitten, and they beg money while they are in these dancing fits.[1190]

Bell was informed at Buzabbatt (in Persia) that the celebrated Kashan Tarantula "neither stings nor bites, but drops its venom upon the skin, which is of such a nature that it immediately penetrates into the body, and causes dreadful symptoms; such as giddiness of the head, a violent pain in the stomach, and a lethargic stupefaction. The remedy is the application of the same animal when braised to the part affected, by which the poison is extracted. They also make the patient," continues this traveler, "drink abundance of sweet milk, after which he is put in a kind of tray, suspended by ropes fixed in the four corners; it is turned round till the ropes are twisted hard together, and, when let go at once, the untwining causes the basket to run round with a quick motion, which forces the patient to vomit."[1191]

Skippon was shown by Corvino, in his Museum at Rome, "a _Tarantula Apula_, which he kept some time alive; and the poison of it, he said, broke two gla.s.ses."[1192]

In the Treasvrie of Avncient and Moderne Times, it is stated of "Harts, that when they are bitten or stung by a venomous kinde of Spiders, called _phalanges_; they heale themselves by eating _Creuisses_, though others do hold, that it is by an Hearb growing in the water."[1193]

Diodorus Siculus tells as that there border upon the country of the Acridophagi a large tract of land, rich in fair pastures, but desert and uninhabited; not that there were never any people there, but that formerly, when it was inhabited, an immoderate rain fell, which bred a vast host of Spiders and Scorpions: that these implacable enemies of the country increased so, that though at first the whole nation attempted to destroy them (for he who was bitten or stung by them, immediately fell dead), so that, not knowing where to remain, or how to get food, they were forced to fly to some other place for relief.[1194] Strabo has inserted also this miraculous story in his Geography.[1195]

Mr. Nichols mentions Spiders as having been embroidered on the white gowns of ladies in the time of Queen Elizabeth.[1196]

Sloane tells us the housekeepers of Jamaica keep large Spiders in their houses to kill c.o.c.kroaches.[1197]

Captain Dampier, after minutely describing in his quaint way the "teeth"

of a "sort of Spider, some near as big as a Man's Fist," which are found in the West Indies, says: "These Teeth we often preserve. Some wear them in their Tobacco-pouches to pick their Pipes. Others preserve them for tooth-pickers, especially such as are troubled with the toothache; for by report they will expell that Pain."[1198] These teeth, which are of a finely polished substance, extremely hard, and of a bright s.h.i.+ning black, are often, in the Bermudas, for these qualities set in silver or gold and used also for tooth-picks.[1199]

Dr. Sparrman says that Spiders form an article of the Bushman's dainties;[1200] and Labillardiere tells us that the inhabitants of New Caledonia seek for and eat with avidity large quant.i.ties of a Spider nearly an inch long (which he calls _Aranea edulis_) and which they roast over the fire.[1201] Spiders are also eaten by the American Indians and Australians.[1202] Molien says: "The people of Maniana, south of Gambia and Senegal, are cannibals. They eat Spiders, Beetles, and old men."[1203] In Siam, also, we learn from Turpin, the egg-bags of Spiders are considered a delicate food. The bags of certain poisonous species which make holes in the ground in the woods are preferred.[1204]

And Peter Martyr, in his History of the West Indies, makes the following statement: "The Chirib.i.+.c.henses (Caribbeans) eate Spiders, Frogges, and whatsoever woormes, and lice also without loathing, although in other thinges they are so queasie stomaked, that if they see anything that doth not like them, they presently cast upp whatsoever is in their stomacke."[1205]

Reaumur tells us of a young lady who when she walked in her grounds never saw a Spider that she did not take and eat upon the spot.[1206]

Another female, the celebrated Anna Maria Schurman, used to crack them between her teeth like nuts, which she affirmed they much resembled in taste, excusing her propensity by saying that she was born under the sign Scorpio.[1207] "When Alexander reigned, it is reported that there was a very beautiful strumpet in Alexandria, that fed alwayes from her childhood on Spiders, and for that reason the king was admonished that he should be very carefull not to embrace her, lest he should be poysoned by venome that might evaporate from her by sweat. Albertus Magnus also makes mention of a certain n.o.ble mayd of Collen, that was fed with Spiders from her childhood. And we in England have a great lady yet living, who will not leave off eating of them. And Phaerus, a physician, did often eat them without any hurt at all."[1208]

La Lande, the celebrated French astronomer, we are told by Disjonval, ate as delicacies Spiders and Caterpillars. He boasted of this as a philosophic trait of character, that he could raise himself above dislikes and prejudices; and, to cure Madame Lepaute of a very annoying fear of, and antipathy to Spiders, it is said he gradually habituated her to look upon them, to touch, and finally to swallow them as readily as he himself.[1209]

A German, immortalized by Rosel, used to eat Spiders by handfuls, and spread them upon his bread like b.u.t.ter, observing that he found them very useful, "_um sich auszulaxiren_."[1210]

The satirist, Peter Pindar, records the same of Sir Joshua Banks:

How early Genius shows itself at times, Thus Pope, the prince of poets, lisped in rhymes, And our Sir Joshua Banks, most strange to utter, To whom each c.o.c.kroach-eater is a fool, Did, when a very little boy at school, Eat Spiders, spread upon his bread and b.u.t.ter.

Conradus, bishop of Constance, at the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, drank off a Spider that had fallen into his cup of wine, while he was busied in the consecration of the elements; "yet did he not receive the least hurt or damage thereby."[1211]

We learn from Poggio, the Florentine, that Zisca, the great and victorious reformer of Bohemia, was such an epicure, that he only asked for, as his share of the plunder, what he was pleased to call "the cobwebs, which hung from the roofs of the farmers' houses." It is said, however, that this was but one of his witty circ.u.mlocutions to express the hams, sausages, and pig-cheeks, for which Bohemia has always been celebrated.[1212]

For the bite of all Spiders, according to Pliny, the best remedies are "a c.o.c.k's brains, taken in oxycrate with a little pepper; five ants, swallowed in drink; sheep's dung applied in vinegar; and Spiders of any kind, left to putrify in oil."[1213] Another proper remedy, says this writer, is, "to present before the eyes of a person stung another Spider of the same description, a purpose for which they are preserved when found dead. Their husks also," he continues, "found in a dry state, are beaten up and taken in drink for a similar purpose. The young of the weasel, too, are possessed of a similar property."[1214]

Among the remedies given by Pliny for diseases of eyes, is mentioned "the cobweb of the common fly-Spider, that which lines its hole more particularly. This," he continues, "applied to the forehead across the temples, in a compress of some kind or other, is said to be marvellously useful for the cure of defluxions of the eyes; the web must be taken, however, and applied by the hands of a boy who has not arrived at the years of p.u.b.erty; the boy, too, must not show himself to the patient for three days, and during those three days neither of them must touch the ground with his feet uncovered. The white Spider with very elongated, thin legs, beaten up in old oil, forms an ointment which is used for the cure of albugo. The Spider, too, whose web, of remarkable thickness, is generally found adhering to the rafters of houses, applied in a piece of cloth, is said to be curative of defluxions of the eyes."[1215]

As a remedy for the ears, Pliny says: "The thick pulp of a Spider's body, mixed with oil of roses, is used for the ears; or else the pulp applied by itself with saffron or in wool."[1216]

For fractures of the cranium, Pliny says, cobwebs are applied, with oil and vinegar; the application never coming away till a cure has been effected. Cobwebs are good, too, he continues, for stopping the bleeding of wounds made in shaving.[1217] They are still used for this purpose, as also the fur from articles made of beaver.

In Ben Jonson's Stable of News, Almanac says of old Penny boy (as a skit upon his penuriousness), that he

Sweeps down no cobwebs here, But sells 'em for cut fingers; and the Spiders, As creatures rear'd of dust, and cost him nothing, To fat old ladies' monkies.[1218]

And Shakspeare, in his Midsummer-Night's Dream, makes Bottom say to the fairy Cobweb:

"I shall desire you of more acquaintance, good master Cobweb. If I cut my finger, I shall make bold with you."[1219]

Pills formed of Spiders' webs are still considered an infallible cure for the ague.[1220] Dr. Graham, in his Domestic Medicine, prescribes it for ague and intermittent fever. And Spiders themselves, with their legs pinched off, and then powdered with flour, so as to resemble a pill, are also sometimes given for ague.[1221] Dr. Chapman, of Philadelphia, states that in doses of five grains of Spiders' web, repeated every fourth or fifth hour, he has cured some obstinate intermittents, suspended the paroxysms of hectic, overcome morbid vigilance from excessive nervous mobility, and quieted irritation of the system from various causes, and not less as connected with protracted coughs and other chronic pectoral affections.[1222]

Mrs. Delany, in a letter dated March 1st, 1743-4, gives two infallible recipes for ague.

1st. Pounded ginger, made into paste with brandy, spread on sheep's leather, and a plaister of it laid over the navel.

2d. A Spider put into a goose-quill, well sealed and secured, and hung about the child's neck as low as the pit of its stomach.

Upon this Lady Llanover notes: "Although the prescription of the Spider in the quill will probably create amus.e.m.e.nt, considered as an old charm, yet there is no doubt of the medicinal virtues of Spiders and their webs, which have been long known to the Celtic inhabitants of Great Britain and Ireland."[1223]

The above mentioned Dr. Graham states that he has known of a Spider having been sewed up in a rag and worn as a periapt round the neck to charm away the ague.[1224]

In the Netherlands, it is thought good for an ague, to inclose a Spider between the two halves of a nut-sh.e.l.l, and wear it about the neck.[1225]

"In the diary of Elias Ashmole, 11th April, 1681, is preserved the following curious incident: 'I took early in the morning a good dose of elixir, and hung three Spiders about my neck, and they drove my ague away. Deo gratias!' Ashmole was a judicial astrologer, and the patron of the renowned Mr. Lilly. Par n.o.bile fratrum."[1226]

"Among the approved Remedies of Sir Matthew Lister, I find," says Dr.

James, "that the distilled water of black Spiders is an excellent cure for wounds, and that this was one of the choice secrets of Sir Walter Raleigh....

"The Spider is said to avert the paroxisms of fevers, if it be applied to the pulse of the wrist, or the temples; but it is peculiarly recommended against a quartan, being enclosed in the sh.e.l.l of a hazlenut....

"The Spider, which some call the catcher, or wolf, being beaten into a plaister, then sewed up in linen, and applied to the forehead and temples, prevents the return of the tertian.... There is another kind of Spider, which spins a white, fine, and thick web. One of this sort, wrapped in leather, and hung about the arm, will, it is said, avert the fit of a quartan. Boiled in oil of roses, and distilled into the ears, it eases (says Dioscorides, ii. 68) pains in those parts....