(This last line reminds me of the amateur angler.) He tells me that there seems to be a general impression that a tarantula will jump into the second-story window of a house, and, springing upon the neck of a young lady sitting there, will kill her instantly.

He has never seen one jump three inches.

If one leg is broken off nature soon provides another.

The Texas variety is believed to be more dangerous.

I do not know.
There are rattlesnakes to be seen and heard about the mountains in hot weather.
As to buying precious stones, especially opals, in this part of the country, I think it is wisest to buy opals in the real old Mexico for yourselves, often very cheaply.