256 



AUTUMN. 



of its weight, both iu darting along the lines, and in 

 holding on with its claws, this spider feels, without 

 the trouble of watching, the vibration of every part 

 of the web to the most distant line, and also the 

 general character of that which throws it into a state 

 of vibration. But, even then, there is always a 

 thread in readiness, by means of which the creature 

 can drop down and seek safety on the ground in 

 case of danger. We are ignorant as to the precise 

 nature of the senses, or substitutes for senses, by 

 means of which these small animals act ; but it is 

 not on that account the less curious to observe the 

 tact with which this species of spider appears to 

 ascertain what sort of substance is on the web. It is 

 not by sight certainly, as little is it by what we call 

 touch, for the portion of the foot with which the state 

 of things is tried is covered with delicate hairs ; but 

 still there is an instinctive discrimination. A bit of 

 leaf, or any other inanimate substance, is riot 

 advanced upon directly, the spider and web are 

 thrown into a vibratory motion for a little while (the 

 equal bearing upon all the main braces of the 

 web, and the perfect vibration which the occupant at 

 the centre can produce, notwithstanding the unequal 

 lengths of the braces, are no bad mechanical study) ; 

 and if it cannot be cleared by that means, the spider 

 advances to it and cuts it adrift, using agy to steady it, 

 if there is a chance of a second entanglement in its fall. 

 If the prey alights, not very strong, or with too hard 

 a covering, it is instantly pierced by the fangs ; but if 

 strong, and not easily pierced, it is shrouded in web ; 

 and the dexterity with which it is suspended by a 

 stout thread, and twirled round for this purpose, is 

 worthy of notice. If another spider (for the disposi- 

 tion to kill extends as fully to their own tribe and 

 species as to any other), it is a matter of exertion. 

 As the warfare is one of enmeshing and not of bit- 

 ing, weight appears to be admitted as a certain means 

 of victory, and accordingly the stranger tries the vibra- 

 tion of the web before he advances, and if he finds the 

 tenant too heavy for him he escapes as fast as he 

 can. If he finds the weight suit him he advance*, and 

 the instant that his full weight is on the web, the 

 owner is off ; he drops down, but still with a thread, 

 escapes to a plant, or posts himself at the end of one 

 of the main braces, but without resting all his weight 

 upon it. From that position he tries the weight of 

 the assailant ; and if he has taken an over estimate 

 before, he darts along with so much impetus, that 

 the invader generally pays for his temerity with his 

 life. If the motive which put him to flight is con- 

 firmed, or remains doubtful, he retains his post, but 

 without bearing his weight on the bmce. The claws 

 of one foot are, however, ready to cut it adrift if the 

 case require. The assailant gains the centre, and 

 tries all the radiating threads for the owner ; and, 

 though that is not so clear, as neither of them is very 

 powerful without the assistance of the web, he may 

 sometimes try if there is a descending thread of 

 escape. If he finds the place of the lurker, he makes 

 straight for that; but if the lurker is a good tactician, 

 and he is seldom deficient, just as the enemy comes 

 to the single thread, that thread is cut, and down 

 drop both web and invader, often with so much velo- 

 city that, with the injury of only a small portion of 

 the web, the invader is flung sprawling on the ground, 

 and the owner. of the meshy tenement returns in 

 safety to the remains of it, and repairs the injury at 

 his leisure. These rencounters do not very frequently 



take place naturally, as each individual in general 

 keeps quiet and constant possession of his own web, 

 but any one who chooses to make the necessary ex- 

 periments may see them as often as he pleases. The 

 autumnal labours of all the spiders, though differing 

 considerably from each other, are curious. The par- 

 ticulars will be found under their names; those of 

 the species of which these slight notices have been 

 given, under the title EPEIRA. 



The habits of those more minute members of the 

 animal kingdom, the labours which they perform, the 

 organisations by means of which they perform those 

 labours, and their uses in the economy of nature, are 

 all very curious, as well as highly instructive ; and 

 the instruction which we may derive from the right 

 study of them, is superior in kind to that which we 

 derive from studying even the noblest examples of 

 human art. In the study of human art there always 

 mingles more or less of human vanity, the effect of 

 which is to narrow the mind ; and when the model is 

 of high merit, it destroys our confidence in ourselves, 

 so that we become mere admirers, or at best imita- 

 tors, in many cases, when the exercise of our own 

 free spirit and undaunted hope would have led us to 

 excel, or at least to equal. In spite of all his rough- 

 ness, want of obedience to the canons of learned 

 taste, and occasional infractions of the laws of learned 

 accuracy and propriety, there is a freshness a 

 something which one can hardly define, and dare not 

 refrain from liking, about the man who has run his 

 own course, which one does not feel in the more 

 polished, and as far as the mere matter of instruction 

 goes, the more instructive imitator who constantly 

 feels the superiority of his masters. This indescriba- 

 ble something always gives us much pleasure, and 

 not a little of that pleasure arises from the conviction 

 that it is pleasure communicated to us by one who 

 must have felt it strongly himself. 



This is more the case with natural history than 

 with any other subject ; and those portions of natural 

 history which come before us every season, and every 

 day of the season, like that of the garden spider in 

 the autumn, are the points at which even every child 

 may take hold on natural history, so that it may be 

 made the vehicle of much useful knowledge of 

 knowledge really useful, as, while it informs the head, 

 it keeps alive the feelings of the heart, and makes 

 goodness not to lag behind information not only with 

 pleasure, but without hindering the most active em- 

 ployment in the common business of life. One, 

 therefore, beholds with pain the neglect or abuse of 

 any means by which this great fountain of informa- 

 tion, pleasure, and the love of virtue (for it combines 

 all the three pretty equally), might be more freely 

 opened to all the people, so that they might enjoy it 

 more abundantly, more pleasantly, and healthfully. 



But from the manner in which the subject is treated, 

 especially in those parts of it which, like the labours 

 of the garden spider, are calculated for exciting 

 thought, and producing a reflective habit most readily 

 in the young, the thought is suppressed, and the wis- 

 dom turned to error, by the injudicious comments 

 which accompany the recital of the facts. The grand 

 source of error which mingles so copiously with these 

 is the imputing of forethought, plan, purpose to the 

 animals, differing in degree or mode, but the same " 

 kind, as that which regulates the conduct of reflective 

 man. In principle, this places man in the very same 

 relation to his Maker as the spider is, which breaks 



