Oti the Origin of the Gojfamer. 1 23 



All the fpiders, however, found in thefe threads or balls, 

 muft not be confidered as the animals by which they were 

 prepared ; for other kinds of fpidcrs, common in harveft, 

 are fonietimes entangled in thefe threads and carried along 

 with them. Thus, for example, the black and white fpotted. 

 tree-fpider, and the fo called chcftnut-fpider, are often found 

 inclofed in the goflamer together with their habitations, and 

 muft obey the impulfe of the winds. 



Thefe webs, which confift of threads clofely joined toge- 

 ther, ferve the infe6ls as nets, in which they catch veiy fmall 

 black flies, gnats, and winged tree-lice, the juices of which 

 they fuck for their nourifliment. The goffamer, therefore, 

 is often found filled wjth the dried huflcs of fuch infefts. 



The above, in my opinion, is the real origin of the gof- 

 famer. But why do thefe fpiders appear only in the time of 

 harveft ? why not earlier ? and why are they not found like 

 the houfe and field- fpiders throughout the whole fummer? 

 r— Thefe objections obviate tliemfelves. They appear at that 

 period for the fame reafon that may-bugs fmaykafferj appear 

 in the month of May. They are as neceflarv in their order to 

 prefcrve the equilibrium of the balance of Nature as the may- 

 bugs are in May. Single fpiders of this kind, however, may 

 be found the whole fummer through, as fingle may-bugs are 

 found in harveft. To thofc who know that exaftly about 

 this time ihofe birds, for whofe nourifliment infers have been 

 afligned, undertake their emigrjitions, and that the larks in 

 particular, which are fo fond of fpiders, then leave us, the 

 above phenomenon will not appear wonderful, but will ra- 

 ther be confidered as a wife regulation of Nature. Thofc 

 who wifh to be convinced of the truth of this obfervation 

 jieed only to fhoot a lark at that period and to open it imme- 



fpherc ; and when thtfe threads and balls are examined, they will always 

 be found to contain fpiders, which have prepared thefe fubftances to en- 

 able rhcm to fly without wings, and to procure thenJtlvcs an eafy paffage to 

 other countries. Tocologic da Injcila par Lrjfcr, a-jcc des Rcmarqucs de 

 P.Ljonnct. A in IJayc; 1741. VoL I. p. 246. F.oiT, 



diatcly. 



