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The funnel-web spider (Atrax robustus) of the Sydney district must be classed among the most deadly animals in the world, especially when its size is taken into consideration. It is popularly termed a trap-door spider, but this name is incorrect and misleading, for it makes no lid or trap-door to its burrow. Some-what reluctant; as a rule, to excavate a tunnel for itself, it usually takes advantage of natural holes and crevices under rock-ledges, under logs, around the roots of stumps and the bases of fence-posts, in rockeries, and among the tangled roots of neglected garden beds. A silken structure is formed around the burrow's entrance, varying from a silken funnel with long, radiating lines and guy-ropes to a closely-woven sheet of white silk pierced by a circular hole leading to the entrance of the retreat beneath. The female funnel-web spider, which may measure up to almost two inches in length, is of a general black color, although the abdomen may sometimes have reddish-brown tints; the forepart of the body (cephalothorax) is ebony-black, smooth and highly polished. The male is similar, but longer-legged and much more lightly built; he bears a stout spur-like projection upon the second pair of legs, employed at mating to hold apart the fangs or forelegs of his irascible mate. When at rest, the fangs, in both sexes, are folded closely down beneath the head; each fang is curved, needle-like, and pierced with a fine channel through which the venom flows from the internal poison glands.

When disturbed, the spider rears it-self upwards and backwards, resting its weight upon the four rear legs, while the forelimbs are raised and the fangs erected. It bites by striking downwards with great rapidity and force, the fangs being buried to their bases in the flesh. Having struck, the spider often retains its grip, and is dislodged only with difficulty. A small, clear drop of venom can often be seen at the tip of each fang of an enraged spider. It is frequently re- ported that the funnel-web spider springs or jumps at the object of its attack, but no evidence of this habit has been found despite many experiments.

The number of cases .of bites from funnel-web spiders has been comparatively few, but the death-rate has been high, .and five fatal cases have been re-corded to date. In all instances where• the attacking spider has been secured, the fatal bites have been inflicted by males. I do not consider that the female is- less venomous than the male—the opposite seems more probable—but the males wander about at night, possibly in search of mates, and enter houses where they hide in shoes and slippers, and in clothes thrown on the floor; the females appear to be stay-at-homes, usually remaining in or close to their retreats.

In 1949, a fourteen year old boy who lived in a Sydney suburb was fatally bitten by a funnel web spider which had taken refuge in one of Id* boots over-night. Although promptly rushed to hospital, the lad's condition steadily worsened. About twelve hours after being bitten he died.

A serious bite by a male of the tree-dwelling funnel-web spider (Atrax formidabilis) has also been reported, but the patient recovered. The female of this species is an immense creature, and may .measure up to three inches in length. All the eight species of Atrax known are potentially dangerous, and should be treated most cautiously.

In the event of a person being bitten by a spider, it is re-commended that treatment be similar to that used in cases of snake - bite. A. ligature should be applied immediately, a doctor called and the case placed in his care. When possible, under clean conditions, the area around the bite may be scarified with a sharp instrument to induce bleeding.

Wonder Book of Knowledge

Queen of Spinners

Deadliest of Creatures