The Black Widow Spider

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Abstract
Numerous observations on the natural hist. of the black widow spider (Latrodcctus mart cms*), including distr., habitat, temperament, reproduction, development, and means of dispersal. Plates show the sex differences and several stages in the development of the [female]. The 2d part of the paper is devoted to a study of the venom, its toxicity and chemistry, and of the development of immunity toward it. Similar studies were made of the toxic substance of the eggs. Finally, assays of the hyper-immune sheep serum produced by the E. R. Squibb and Sons Company are recorded. The more important experimental results are summarized The average lethal dose for immature rats is .032 mg. of dried venom which is about 1/4 the amount present in an adult [female] spider. Chemical evidence indicates that the venom is a protein, probably an albumen. Injection of sub-lethal doses over a period of time into rats or sheep gives a potent anti-serum, about 25 A.L.D. of venom being neutralized per c.c. None of the antidotes studied was effective. No pathologic abnormalities in rats kept chronically intoxicated could be discovered. About 6500 spiders and 500 rats were used in this investigation.

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