OF THE ORDER ARANEIDEA. 247 
possesses a property destructive to the existence of 
animals of that order when transmitted into a recent 
wound ; in short, it does not appear to exercise any 
greater degree of influence upon them than it does 
upon the human species. 
I now proceed to show how insects are affected 
when pierced by the fangs of spiders. 
3. Haperiments on Insects. 
1846. August 7th. A female petra diadema in- 
flicted a severe wound on the mesonotum of a common 
Wasp, near the base of the right anterior wing, at 
11° a.m., the temperature at the time being 74°. 
The wasp, though disabled from flying, survived the 
injury for the space of thirteen hours. 
August 7th. At 1> 30™ p.m., the temperature 
being 72°, a female Hpeira diadema pierced a Hum- 
ble bee (Bomébus terrestris) with its fangs near the 
posterior part of the mesosternum. The wound de- 
prived the humble bee of the power of flight, but 
did not terminate fatally till 11° p.m. on the 10th. 
August 8th. Temperature 68°. A female Seges- 
tria senoculata seized a Flesh-fly (Musca vomitoria) 
near the middle of the tibia of the right posterior leg, 
and did not quit its hold for several seconds. A 
transparent colourless fluid issued from the wounds 
made by the fangs of the spider; but the fly retained 
the use of its wings, and did not expire till evening 
on the 10th. 
