700 Microscopical Essays, 



which infeft various animals, would do well to look into Rhedi's 

 Treatife de Generatione Infe61orum. 



The fpider is another infect which is often examined by the 

 microfcope, and certainly affords much matter for obfervation. 

 " Formed for a life of rapacity, and incapable of living but by 

 blood, all it's habits are calculated to deceive and furprize ; it 

 fp reads toils to entangle it's prey ; it is endued with patience to 

 expect it's coming, and is poffeffed of arms and ftrength to deftroy 

 it when fallen into the fnare. 



a m ; Xo heedlefs flies the window proves 



A conftant death ; where, gloomily retired, 



The villian fpider lives, cunning and fierce, 



Mixture abhorr'd ; amid a mangled heap 



Of carcafes, in eager watch he fits, 



O erlooking all" his waving fnares around'. 



Near the dire cell the dreadlefs wanderer oft 



Palfes, as oft the ruffian fhews his front ; 



The prey at laft enfnar'd, he dreadful darts. 



With rapid glide along the leaning line ; 



And, fixing in the wretch his cruel fangs, 



Strikes backward grimly pleas'd : the flutt'ring wing 



And fhriller found declare extreme diftrefs, 



And afk the helping hofpitable hand/' 



The eyes of the fpider are a very beautiful microfcopic object, 

 viewed either as tranfparent or opake ; they have generally eight, 

 two on the top of the head, that look directly upwards ; two 

 in the front, a little below the foregoing, to difcover what 



palfes 



