5 20 • On the Manner in whicb 



part of it was brongln into complete equilibrium and fiabi- 

 litv, may not have experienced fome changes and variations, 

 in confequence of which its poles and its axis may have been 

 in fome meafure deranged ; but all the traces of Inch changes 

 hitherto dilcovered in the tliin cruft within the reach of our 

 oblervation feeni to prove that thev were produced by partial 

 changes in the fituation of certain parts of tlie land or fea, 

 which were in no manner able to difplace the earth's centre 

 of gravity, or to derange its poles and its axis. 



In the courfe of a thoufand years, revolutions of this kind 

 may take place in regard to the earth's furfacc, in confe- 

 quence of its organization, on account of the many chemical 

 mixtures and folutions v^hich are capable of continually ex- 

 citing the aftive powers of nature; but the equilibrium, and 

 powerful law of mutual attrai^tion, by which one world is 

 Goimected with another, may free us from all apprehenfion in 

 regard to any derangement of tlic poles or axis of the earth 

 capable of being followed with difaltrous confequencea. 



LIT. Obftrvailoyis oji the Manner in which the Spider (Ara- 

 nea Diadema) jpins its JVeb. By M. C. G. Lehm ann *. 



1 



T muft be allowed by thofe who have anv knowledge of 

 entomology, that the natural hiftory of fpidershas beenmucli 

 neglefted; for, nolwithtlanding the oreat progrefs which has 

 been made in that fcience, we are as yet very little acquainted 

 with the organifiition, mode of life, and propagation of tlie 

 Aioft common kinds of thefe animals; and many fpecies 

 make a figure in our fvflems and cal>incts which differ from 

 each other only by their age or their fex, . Thefe infefts, fo 

 remarkable on account of their induftrvand manner of life, 

 are viewed w'th a fort of contempt and averfion, which 

 would be inexplicable did we not know theareat powerof thofe 

 impreihons and prejudices which we receive in our vouth. 

 Thefe in trcneral are communicated to us bv people who are 

 the kail qualiiied to give the mind that direAion necelTarv 

 for the purpofes of life, and who in particular feem to have 

 united to iufpire us with a dread of fpiders. Hence the 

 complaint of lo many naturalifts, that ihis averfion alwavs 

 deters them from obferving and accurately examining thele 

 iufeAs; and thofe \vho have nndertaken to do fo have 



"■ From Dif GefrUfchafl liatui^nj bjnder FuunJe zn Birliii Ntiie 

 Sihiijuii, vol. iii, lioi. 



generally 



