l.->^" 





■^^^ 



' WeaviQg spiders, come not here : 

 Hence, ye long le^g'd spinners, hence." 



MIDSUMMER night's DRF^M, ACT IT. 



It might appear strange to you, my dear friend, if 

 among the insects mentioned in Shakspeare's plays, 

 I did not mention the spider. Perhaps it may seem 

 more strange to say, that it is not an insect at all. 

 Still, although such is the case, I shall bow at the 

 shrine of custom, and allow the spider to form the 

 subject of a letter, in the same manner as if the 

 popular classification were correct. 



Spiders are not arranged by Naturalists with 

 insects properly so called, but occupy a place between 



