SPIDER. 
483 
him. On this occasion, says Linnasus, if ever, 
may he justly applied the Ovidian line 
Res est solliciii plena timoris amor! 
There remains one more particularity in the 
history of Spiders with which I shall conclude the 
description of the genus, viz. the power of flight. 
This is chiefly exercised by those of less advanced 
age, and seems possessed but in an inferior degree 
by those which are full grown. It is principally 
in the autumnal season that these diminutive ad- 
venturers ascend the air, and contribute to fill it 
with that infinity of floating cobwebs which are 
so peculiarly conspicuous at that period of the year. 
When inclined to make these aerial excursions, 
the spider ascends some slight eminence, as the 
top of a wall, or the branch of a tree, and, turning 
itself with its head towards the wind ejaculates^ 
(according to Dr. Lister) several threads, and, 
rising from its station, commits itself to the gale, 
and is thus carried far beyond the height of the 
loftiest towers, and enjoys the pleasure of a clearer 
atmosphere. During their, flight it is probable 
that spiders employ themselves in catching such 
minute winged insects as may happen to occur 
in their progress; and when satisfied with their 
journey and their prey, they suffer themselves to 
fall, by contracting their limbs, and gradually 
* The ejaculation or darting of the threads is doubted by 
Swammerdam and some others, who rather suppose that the 
threads are driven by the wind from the papillae of the animal. 
