278 Silk Manufactvre. 



no reason for doubting that it would stand any trials of the loom, af- 

 ter having undergone those of the stocking frame. 



' The only obstacle, therefore, which appeared to prevent the es- 

 tablishing of any considerable manufacture from these spider bags was 

 the difficulty of obtaining them in sufficient abundance. M. Bon 

 fancied that this objection could soon be overcome, and that the art 

 of domesticating and rearing spiders, as practised with silkworms, was 

 to be attained. Carried away by the enthusiasm of one, who, having 

 made a discovery, pursues it v\ith ardor undismayed by difficulties, 

 he met every objection by comparisons, which perhaps were not 

 wholly and strictly founded on fact. Contrasted with the spi- 

 der, and to favor his arguments, the silkworm in his hands made 

 a very despicable figure. He affirmed that the female spider pro- 

 duces 600 or 700 eggs; while of the 100, to which number he 

 limited the silkworm, not more than one half were reared to pro- 

 duce balls. That the sj)iders hatched spontaneously, without any 

 care, in the months of August and September ; that the old spi- 

 ders dying soon after they have laid their eggs, the young ones 

 live for ten or twelve months without food and continue in their 

 bags without growing, until the hot weather, by putting their vis- 

 cid juices in motion, induces them to come forth, spin, and run 

 about in search of food. 



' Mons. Bon flattered himself by this partial comparison, that if 

 a method could be found of byeeding young spiders in apartments, 

 they would furnish a much greater quantity of bags than silkworms. 

 Of about 700 or 800 young spiders which he kept, hardly one 

 died in a year ; whereas, according to this gentleman's estimate, 

 of 100 silkworms not forty Hved to form their cocoons. His spi- 

 der establishment was managed in the following manner : — Having 

 ordered all the short-legged spiders which could be collected by- 

 persons employed for the purpose, to be brought to him, he in- 

 closed them in paper coffins and pots ; these were covered with 

 papers, which, as well as the coffins, were pricked over their sur- 

 face with pin holes to admit air to the prisoners. The insects 

 were duly fed mih flies, and after some time it was found on in- 

 spection that the greater part of them had formed their bags. 

 This advocate for the rearing of spiders contended that spiders' 

 bags affbrded much more silk in proportion to their weight than 

 those of the silkworm ; in proof of which he observed, that thir- 

 teen ounces yield nearly four ounces of pure silk, two ounces of 

 which were sufficient to make a pair of stockings ; whereas stock- 

 ings made of common silk were said by him to weigh seven or 

 eight ounces. 



' Some persons had imagined that the spider was venomous, and 



