<fKE SPIDER. SS9 



Genus VIII, — -Aranea. Thu Spider, 



The infe£ls of this family may be confidered as a kinci 

 of ^/-^w/^^, all poffeffing eight ey.^s, and diftinguifiiable 

 into families by their arrangement and pofitioa. They 

 have eight feet, and a mouth armed with crotchets. The 

 inftrumcnts for fpinning are fhaped like nipples, and 

 placed in the anus, * 



But the circumflance by which the fpiders are mod 

 diflinguifhed, are the two articulated palpi, which ars 

 headed by the genitals of the male in that fexf. As the 

 fpiders prey upon each othei, except during the time of 

 their amours, they dare not venture within reach of each 

 other, but with the utmoft caution. They are then feea 

 ftretching out their legs, fhaking their webs, and tamper- 

 ing with each other, by a flight touch with the extremity 

 of the feet; then,' in a fright, dropping haftily down 

 their threads, and returning in a few moments to make a 

 frefli trial by feeling. When once both parties are' well 

 affured of tlie fex h^y have to deal with, the approaches 

 of their feet to icel becouie more frtqutnt, confidence 

 takes place, and the inftant of amorous dalliance enfues J. 



We cannot, fays Lyonnst, fufilcienily admire how care- 

 ful thefe animals are, not to give theaii'eives up blindly 

 to a paflion, 'or venture upon an imprudent it e.p, which 

 might prove fa.al to them. After the male and female 



fpider 



i S/ft. N-.r, p. njo. i Rirl^ntfp. '^v). 



^ 



