132 Of I the Origin of the GoJJamer. 



threads from one place to another, and which Linnzeus, on 

 that account, includes in a particular divifion. The threads, 

 owing to the fmallnefs of the animal, are fo delicate that a 

 lingle one cannot he didinguiflied by the naked eye unlefs 

 when the fun fliines upon it. A thread, to be vifible at other 

 times, muft be compofcd of at leaft fix threads twilled toge- 

 ther ; and fuch a thread, as the fmgle ones are exceedingly 

 brittle and do not readily unite, may be again ealily divided 

 into its component threads. During the ferene calm days 

 of the above months thefe animals carry on their occupation 

 with great diligence, efpecially after the morning fogs have 

 difappeared. Between the hours of twelve and two, how- 

 ever, is the period when their great induftry excites moft 

 admiration. If people are poffeffed of good eye-fight, or are 

 furniflied with a magnifying glafs, they may find among the 

 barley ftubblc fuch a multitude of thefe fpiders employed in 

 extending their threads, that the fields appear as if covered 

 with fv/arms of gnats, and they perform their labour fo 

 fpeedily that they feem to fly from one fiubble to another. 



Thefe tender threads, which are extended over whole 

 fields, particularly in the laft half of October, become 

 twifted together by the gcntleft breath of wind, and form 

 perceptible threads, that, being broken loofc by a ftronger 

 wind, are united into thick threads, and even balls, that 

 float through the atmofphere. They are known then in 

 Germany by the name of the Jljing Jutnmcir*, becaufe the 

 fummer feems as it were to fly away at the fame time. 

 The fpiders alfo are then conveyed along in them ; and it is 

 not uncommon to find thefe animals Qntwifl.cd in fuch 



threads which have been, caught f, 



All 



'■* In German JHegerjik fomtner. 



■f A fingular ufe which Ibiiie kinds of fjjiders makeof their webs is, that 

 they ferve them inftcad of carriages to perform long jnurnies, and to tranf- 

 port themfclves from one country to another. At certain times of the year 

 we may generally fee, when the Iky is ferene, a multitude of ftrong threads 

 and balls forme4 "^f the threads of th(;fe iofqitSj floating abovt in the atmo- 



fphqrc i 



