NOT NOXIOUS TO MAN. 217 



bite, by inducing a reaction in the system. I am 

 not aware that any of our native Arachnida have 

 occasioned actual suffering to man ; yet, that they 

 are full of venom, is the universal belief; and in 

 accordance with it. King Richard II., in saluting the 

 " dear earth" on which he stands, after 



" late tossing on the breaking seas," 



accosts it thus : — 



" Feed not thy sovereign's foes, my gentle earth. 

 Nor with thy sweets comfort his ravenous sense ; 

 But let thy spiders, that suck up thy venom, 

 And heavy-gaited toads, lie in their way. 

 Doing annoyance to the treacherous feet, 

 Which with usurping steps do trample thee." 



Act III. Sc. II. 



From another passage, it is evident that Shakspeare 

 believed that any injury a spider might occasion, 

 arose more from the imagination of the sufferer 

 than the venom of the spider : — 



" There may be in the cup, 



A spider steep'd, and one may drink, depart, 

 And yet partake no venom ; for his knowledge 

 Is not infected ; but if one present 

 The abhorr'd ingredient to his eye make known, 

 How he hath drunk, he cracks his gorge, his sides. 

 With violent hefts."— mw^erV Tale, Act II. Sc. I. 



It is gratifying to the Naturalist, to find in a being 

 regarded by the bulk of mankind as so obnoxious, 

 the manifestations of parental attachment. On the 



