432 Dr. Heineken ofi the Reproduction, hsC. 



its other extremity, so that if he fall he can recover himself. More than 

 this I have never observed in one at liberty, but confine either a sound 

 or a mutilated hunter in a small jar or a bottle, and a small, imperfect, 

 confused web is the consequence : generally but little, if any, is deposited 

 until a fly is put in, and he finds that, from the shape and nature of his 

 prison he cannot avail himself of his hunting abilities to full advantage ; 

 but many commence a slender inefficient web, before they can have had 

 this proof of its necessity. Mutilation makes no difference in this re- 

 spect, and it appears to be attributable to the change of situation and 

 circumstances solely : but the manners and habits of the animal 

 still remain the same ; there is the same restlessness, the same quick 

 turning of the head, the same inclination and attempt to spring upon the 

 prey, as when at liberty, and the web seems to be had recourse to as a 

 dernier ressort, and as an assistance only, for the instant a fly becomes 

 ever so slightly embarrassed, it is seized and borne off. I have not 

 thought it worth while to detail any experiments in proof of these de- 

 ductions, because they are so uniform and uninteresting, and may so 

 readily be tried at any time. I feel also that I have already intruded too 

 much ; the subject, however, is still far from being exhausted, and if my 

 readeis will not be alarmed, I may perhaps again recur to it. 



C. Heineken, M.D. 

 Funchal, Madeira, 

 October 25, 1828. 



P. S. I had almost forgotten to notice the mention of moulting having 

 occurred previously to reproduction in Sir J. Banks's spider, but it will be 

 evident to every one, that he mentions it merely as a coincidence, and 

 "does not attempt to connect the facts. 



