DESCRIPTIONS OF THE NESTS AND EOGS OF SPIDERS. 



129 



but although they appeared completely attached, the bulfinch feeding 

 the canary on the nest, &c, the eggs never hatched. I also tried the 

 same experiment with the siskin, and with the same ill success, not- 

 withstanding the opinion which exists that they will pair readily. A 

 few days since I had brought to me a very remarkable linnet : this bird 

 was of a dirty cream colour throughout the body, and the wings only 

 differed in having those red streaks with which the common linnet is 

 marked. The bird-catcher had been some time attempting to secure 

 it ; and when he did succeed, it came but singly from a flock of a hun- 

 dred, down to his nets. It is curious that very near the spot where 

 this bird was caught, a young lark was taken with white wings, and 

 which having now arrived at maturity, presents a very curious appear- 

 ance. Is this merely an accidental coincidence, or the effect of some 

 peculiarity in this particular spot ? I should think the former. I must 

 now bring my rambling remarks to a conclusion, apologising for their 

 prolixity. The man of the world may smile at what he deems the 

 frivolity of such pursuits, and deem that attention thrown away which 

 is directed to the observation of such diminutive objects ; but for my 

 part I am well content to say with friend Horace — 



" Libet jacere modo sub antiqua ilice, 

 Modo in tenaci gramine : 

 Labuntur altis interum ripis aqua? ; 

 Queruntur in sylvis aves ; 

 Fontesque lymphis obstrepunt manantibus 

 Somnos quod invitet leves." 



As links in the mighty chain, no " created things" are to be despised ; 

 they form parts of the stupendous whole, which is the work of Omnis- 

 cience — the production of that Being, (to use the words of the poet,) 



" Who sees with equal eye, as God of all, 

 A hero perish, or a sparrow fall ; 

 Atoms or systems into ruin hurl'd, 

 And now a bubble burst, and now a world." 



SOME NEW DESCRIPTIONS AND FIGURES OF THE 

 NESTS AND EGGS OF SPIDERS. 



BY SOL1TAR.IUS. 



I am sorry that the circumstance of not being able to procure any 

 work treating upon our British spiders, prevents me from furnishing 

 VOL. II. no. nr. s 



