Re: How many is a Brazilian?

1

I believe that William Burroughs has written about the priapism.


Posted by: John Emerson | Link to this comment | 12-22-11 6:24 AM
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2

A whole post written for a bad pun? What is this, Usenet?


Posted by: Martin Wisse | Link to this comment | 12-22-11 6:31 AM
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2: Oh, I thought of the bad pun only after writing up the rest of the post. The Mineshaft cares deeply about spiders and priapism, Martin, and I couldn't let my discovery of this creature's existence pass without comment.


Posted by: Stanley | Link to this comment | 12-22-11 6:34 AM
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4

BTW, it's one of those wonderful composite Wikis, later on casts doubt on the idea that this is the most venomous spider: Despite their reputation as the world's deadliest spiders, there are multiple studies that call into question their capacity for fatal human envenomation, though some of these are labeled with a level of uncertainty..


Posted by: John Emerson | Link to this comment | 12-22-11 6:40 AM
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5

The word "envenomation" is kewl.


Posted by: Tripp | Link to this comment | 12-22-11 8:43 AM
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6

They have a distinctive defensive display in which the body is lifted up into an erect position, the first two pairs of legs are lifted high (revealing the conspicuous black-striped pattern on their underside), while the spider sways from side to side with hind legs in a cocked position.

This I want to see.


Posted by: Sir Kraab | Link to this comment | 12-22-11 10:17 AM
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7

6: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5yJS9mcEc8


Posted by: apostropher | Link to this comment | 12-22-11 10:20 AM
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8

That's a fast fucking spider.


Posted by: urple | Link to this comment | 12-22-11 10:27 AM
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9

||

Ron Paul still opposes the Civil Rights Act (as of 2007, not 1990). But his position is on grounds of constitutionality, and he also opposes detaining Muslims, so he must be a net force for good on racial issues, right?

|>


Posted by: Minivet | Link to this comment | 12-22-11 10:44 AM
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10

WE WAS ROBBED!


Posted by: OPINIONATED SYDNEY FUNNEL-WEB SPIDERS | Link to this comment | 12-22-11 4:36 PM
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11

From 10:

However, since the discovery of a Funnel-web antivenin in 1980, no one has died from its bite.

Pfft. Apply again when you've evolved some stronger venom, chump.

But, back to the wandering spider (still from 10):

The 2007 Guinness Book of World Records actually named it the most venomous spider in the world because it's capable of injecting 1 to 2 milligrams of venom in its victims. You can spot these by the red hairs on their necks.

What? It only attacks redheads? (Or is it saying that red hair is caused by deadly spider bites?) I'm confused.

And, finally, some real SCIENCE:

Scientists are studying the venom of the Brazilian wandering spider with the goal of developing a new treatment for erectile dysfunction. Men bitten by the spider exhibit symptoms of discomfort such as pain, cold sweats and increased blood pressure -- along with penis erections.


Posted by: urple | Link to this comment | 12-22-11 4:49 PM
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12

11.last: Thanks for making that explicit.


Posted by: Stanley | Link to this comment | 12-22-11 11:00 PM
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13

OT: Christchurch got hit again, this time with a 5.8.


Posted by: Eggplant | Link to this comment | 12-22-11 11:54 PM
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