f all the missions in India ink,
wild-flower, fern, and moss work, and, perhaps most popular of all, the
pictures on orange wood of the burro, the poppy, and pepper and oranges.
Or, if interested in natural history, you can secure a horned toad, a
centipede, or a tarantula, alive or dead, and "set up."

A horned toad is more easy to care for than the average baby alligator
of Florida, and as a pet is not more exacting, as it can live six months
without eating.

"Why do some women like horrible things for pets?

"Mother Eve set the example, and ever since serpents have been in the
front rank of woman's eccentric loves. Cleopatra was fond of tigers and
ferocious beasts, but she turned at last to a snake as the most fitting
creature to do her bidding.

"Centuries ago the queens of Egypt made pets of horned toads, and the
ugly little reptiles became things of state, and their lives more sacred
than the highest ministers to the court. Daughters of the Nile
worshipped crocodiles."

A very intelligent man, who has every reason to speak with authority
about the tarantula as found in California, declares that it is not
dangerous. He says they live in ground that has not been disturbed by
the plough. Their hole in the ground is about three fourths of an inch
in diameter and twelve or fourteen inches deep, with only a web over the
top. Many tell us that the tarantula has a lid on the top of his house,
but this is incorrect, as that belongs to the trap-door spider. It is
sold, however, here as a tarantula's nest. This creature dislikes the
winter rains as much as the tourist does, and fills up the entrance of
the nest in October and November, not appearing until May. The greater
number are found on adobe and clay soil. Tarantulas never come out at
night; the male sometimes appears just before sundown, but the female is
seldom seen away from home unless disturbed. They seem to have a model
family life. Mr. Wakely, who has caught more of these spiders than any
living man, does not seem to dread the job in the least. One man goes
ahead and places a small red flag at the opening of the nest; the next
man pours down a little water, which brings Mr. T---- up to see what is
the matter, and then Mr. W---- quietly secures it with a pair of pincers
and puts it in a bottle, and has thus succeeded in catching hundreds,
but has never had a bite. (This last line reminds me of the amateur
angler.) He tells me that there seems to be a general