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There is actually no single species known as "The Black Widow." Widow spiders are a genus, within which there are three species known as "black widows," all found in the Americas. There is variation in color and size between different species, and even between members of the same species. Coloration changes also happen as the spiders mature.

A widow spider in England could easily have originated in southern or eastern Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the Far East and Australia, as well as the Americas. Widow spiders are found on every continent except Antarctica.

Most -- but not all -- species of widow spider are black, with a bulbous abdomen and long spindly forelegs. Depending on the species, they usually have various colored markings on the back or underside of their abdomen.

The symptomology of a widow-spider envenomation is pretty similar to what the bite victim in the story describes. It is usually debilitating, but not fatal.

Widow spiders should killed whenever they are found near a home or populated place. Otherwise they may breed, and can produce up to 500 young in one year. They are particularly dangerous to the young and the frail, and can kill pets.