310 . On Bees’ Cells and Combs. [ApriL, 
_ during that time as when first brought from the fields. Two ceuld 
never live together on the same place. The stronger very soon 
killed the weaker one: and they always seemed to be conscious of 
their respective degrees of strength. ‘The more feeble was always 
more afraid of its enemy than any thing that could be presented to 
it. When touched gently with the finger now and then, they did 
not regard it much, and sometimes hardly moved out of their place; 
but when they saw a spider of superior strength coming near them, 
they sometimes ran into the water to avoid him. One having 
fallen accidentally into the water, upon which it floated without 
being able to get out, I was going to extricate it, when it sank to 
the bottom, and ran along the surface of the plate, on which there 
was some gravel, beneath the water, with the same rapidity as if on 
dry ground, Jike a small crab. When it came to the side it could 
not emerge, and appeared unwilling to try it, as the water made its 
legs clap so close together when brought out of the water, that it 
could not move. Lobserved, when it was first immersed in the 
water, it discharged two large air bells from its sides ; from which 
I still think that it is very probable they may render themselves 
lighter by internal air, although it might possibly be the air of 
respiration, as most insects breathe laterally. These trials prove 
beyond a doubt that the geometric spider has the power of.shooting 
out threads to an indefinite length, and of flying by means of the 
thread; and I think this curious circumstance was only once ob- 
served before by some person in France. The manner, however, 
in which they fly was never before noticed, nor attempted to be 
accounted for, with any feasibility. How admirably is every creature 
fitted for the sphere of its existence ! and how much does it add to 
our pleasure, that, while we survey the varieties in nature, we ever 
behold the wisdom of our Creator ! 
ARTICLE VY. 
On ihe Cells and Combs of Bees and Wasps. By Mr. Barchard. 
(To Dr. Thomson.) 
MY DEAR SIR, Oct. 2, 1816. 
In a paper which I had the honour of sending you some time 
since, I] promised you some observations which I had made with 
regard to the cells and combs of bees, wasps, &c. in consequence 
of Dr. Barclay’s ideas that the cells were separate, or composed of 
two walls, &c. Should you consider the following worthy of inser~ 
tion, I shall feel myself honoured, and remain, 
Sir, yours respectfully, 
R. W. Baresarn. 
