34- PLATE XLIX. 



ccmmon to the family, is apparent in all. Our domeftic Spiders ar« 

 plain in their colours, and feldom attain a very extraordinary fize ; 

 the gardens are infefted by fpecies fomewhat larger, and more lively 

 in their marks and teints, but if we wiili to trace the juft gradations 

 of the beauty, or fize, of thofe deteftable creatures, the forefts abound; 

 and will afford the higheft gratification to the enquiries of the naturalift. 

 We have Spiders purely white, or white flained with a lovely green; 

 yellow, niarked v/ith a vivid redj purples fhaded with the richeft hues, 

 and the brightefl browns, Ijefpangled with the utmoft elegance and 

 fymmetry : Yet under thofe rich adornments which nature has fo pro- 

 fufely beflrowed on this complication of beauty, and ferocity, we dif- 

 cover inherent qualities, which, in larger animals, would become 

 formidable, and though we feel confident of our fuperiority over the 

 infidious art of fuch a contemptible creature, yet the mind is fufcepti- 

 ble of an inward abhorrence at its touch, which neither the expanfion 

 of philofophy, or ignorance of its difpofition, will fometimes fupprefs. 

 It is probable, that Thomfon^ in his defcription of the Spider, felt this 

 fympathy of the human mind, 



" To heedlefs flies the window provee 



A conllant death ; where, gloomily retired. 

 The villain Spider lives, cunning and fierce. 

 Mixture abhorr'd ! Amid a mangled heap 

 Of carcafes, in eager watch he fits, 

 O'er-looking all' his waving fnares around. 

 Near the dire cell, the dreadlefs wanderer oft 

 . Pafi'es, as oft the rufKan fhews his front ; 

 The prey at lad enfnar'd, he dreadful darts * 



With rapid glide along the leaning line ; 

 And fixing in the wretch his cruel fangs, 

 Strikes backward grimly pleasM : the ilutt'ring wing, 

 And fhriHer found declare extreme diftrefs, 

 And alk the helping hofpitable hand." 



Early in the fpring v/e find the nefis of Spiders in the crevices 

 ®f old walls, trees, and other obfcure places. They are enclofed in 

 webs of a white, yellov/, or grey colourj varying according to the 



fpecies; 



