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Show 250 MR. F. PICKARD CAMBRIDGE ON THE [Apr. 15, creature was held when being applied to the patient ! The mandibles of Latrodectus are so insignificant that they would, for instance, scarcely pierce the thick skin of the fingers. In the face of so much evidence, however, one would not wish to suggest that the animals whose symptoms are described were not actually bitten by the spider in the presence of and under the eye of a competent observer; only one must insist that it is a great pity that, if so, this is not distinctly stated and the modus operandi described by Dr. Puga Borne. It is so easy to settle the point once for all, and so silence scepticism. In every case, however, which has come under m y notice, it has always been taken for granted at the outset that the wound was inflicted by the spider; and this being the only point on which proof is desirable, we are given abundant evidence on the character of the subsequent symptoms and every other point except this. A N e w Zealand friend of mine assured m e that his friend's dog had been bitten by a Katipo, and fancied he had proved the case up to the hilt when he declared that he had seen the clog running round in circles on the lawn. Certainly, there must have been something seriously wrong with his friend's dog, but the lamentable symptoms described were no proof that a Katipo was the cause of the trouble. One would therefore urge those who happen to be in the Katipo country to try and get first-hand evidence. It is not sufficient to see a Katipo in the neighbourhood of the tragedy, nor to see one crawling on the victim's clothes, nor even to find one crawling under the clothes of the person bitten. If a dozen healthy boys could be induced for a consideration to allow themselves to be bitten under competent observation, the matter might be settled once and for all-or, failing this, experiments might be made on mice, though one cannot suggest how the spiders are to be induced to bite in either case. These reports of the symptoms manifested in cases coming in for treatment suffering from the supposed bite of the spider are of no value whatever as evidence as to what was the originating cause of those symptoms. It may be interesting to gather together the various names under which the members of this genus are known in the different countries where they enjoy such evil reputation. In N e w Zealand it is known as the Katipo; in the Philippines as the Laucdaua ; in Mexico and Central America as the Araiha capulina, because of the resemblance which the abdomen bears to the fruit of the Capollin cherry (Cerasus capollinus); in Guatemala as the Casampulga; in Madagascar as the Menavoudi; in Chili as the Pallu or Guina; in Italy as the Malmignatte; in the Russian Steppes as the Karakurt; in Bolivia as the Mico; in Peru as the Lucacha; and in the Antilles as the Arcvha naranja. I must here express m y thanks to M . E. Simon, Prof. Kul-czynski, M r. H . R. Hogg, and Mr. R. I. Pocock for kindly allowing me to examine specimens of the genus; and I a m also indebted |