470 INSECTS. 



On this occasion, says Linnaeus, if ever, may be justly applied the 

 Ovidian line. 



Res est solliciti plena timoris amor ! 



There remains one more particularity in the history of spiders 

 with which we shall conclude the description of the genus, viz. the 

 power of flight. This is chiefly exercised by those of less advanced 

 age, and seems possessed but in an iuferior degree by those which 

 are full grown It is principally in the autumnal season that these 

 diminutive adventurers ascend the air, and contribute to fill it with 

 that infinity of floating cobwebs which are so peculiarly conspi- 

 cuous at that period of the year. When inclined to make these 

 aerial excursions, the spider ascends some slight eminence, as the 

 top of a wall, or the branch of a tree, and, turning itself with 

 its head towards the wind ejaculates* (according to Dr. Lister) 

 several threads; and, rising from its situation, commits itself to the 

 gale, and is thus carried far beyond the height of the loftiest 

 towers, and enjoys the pleasure of a clearer atmosphere. During 

 their flight, it is probable that spiders employ themselves in catch- 

 ing such minute winged insects as may happen to occur in their 

 progress ; and when satisfied with their journey and their prey, 

 they sutler themselves to fall, by contracting their limbs, and gra- 

 dually disengaging themselves from the thread which supported them. 

 This curious particular in the history of spiders was first observed 

 by Dr. Hulse, about the year 1668, and was soon confirmed by 

 Dr. Lister and Mr. Ray. Dr. Lister made several very accurate 

 observations on this subject, and even ascended some of the highest 

 edifices on purpose to observe it, and saw spiders sailing as far as 

 the eye could reach above these, till at length they vanished from 

 his view. 



[Ray. Lister. Shaw. Phil. Trans. 



* The ejaculation or darting of the threads is doubted by Swammerdam and 

 some others, who rather suppose that the threads are driven by the wind front 

 ehe papillae of the animal. 



