LETTER XIII. 



FOOD OF INSECTS CONTINUED. 



STRATAGEMS EMPLOYED IN PROCURING IT. 



1 HE stratagems of insects in obtaining their food are 

 now to engage our attention. I shall not dwell on those 

 inartificial modes of surprising their prey, of which ex- 

 amples may be found amongst almost every order of 

 insects, such as watching behind a leaf or other object 

 affording concealment until its approach ; but shall pro- 

 ceed to describe the vai'ious artifices of the race of spi- 

 ders, of which there are several hundred distinct species 

 differing essentially from each other both in characters 

 and manners. 



Many of these are constantly under our eyes; and 

 were it not that we are accustomed to neglect what is 

 the subject of daily occurrence, we should never behold 

 a spider's web without astonishment. What, if we had 

 not witnessed it, would seem more incredible than that 

 any animal should spin threads ; weave these threads 

 into nets more admirable than ever fowler or fisherman 

 fabricated; suspend them with the nicest judgement in 

 the place most abounding in the wished-for prey ; and 

 there concealed watch patiently its approach ? In this 

 case, as in so many others, we neglect actions in minute 

 animals, which in the larger would excite our endless 

 admiration. How would the world crowd to see a fox 



