THE SPIDER. 365 



creafing in qulcknefs as the patient feems afFetHied. After 

 continuing this ridiculous, but violent exercife, till a pro- 

 fufe pcrfpiration is brought on, the imaginary venom is 

 forced from the fyftem, and the cure is completed. Such 

 v.ere the reputed effe6ls of the bite of the tarantula, till 

 travellers of difcernment traced the whole fi6lion to the 

 artifice of the peafants of Apulia, who, for a fmall fum 

 had been in the habit of allowing themfelves to be 

 bitten, and then counterfeited madnefs, to aftonifh the 

 Tvondering multitude. 



