S P I 
a genus of the lepidoptera order of infefts. It's 
charafters are: the antennte are fubprifmatic, or 
thicker in the middle, and attenuated towards 
each end J the wings decline towards the fides; 
and they are apparently heavier and flower in 
their flight in the morning and evening, Lin- 
n£us enumerates forty-feven fpecies. 
Sphinx is alfo a term by which Reaumur ex- 
prefies a very fingular, fpecies of caterpillar, with 
a hollow horn or tube on the hinder part of the 
body. 
SPHONDYLLUS. An appellation given by 
Pliny to a peculiar fpecies of the fyngnathus, or 
acus Ariftotelis. Artedi calls it the fyngnathus 
corpore medio hexagono cauda pinnataj and Bel- 
lonius and Gefner, typhle marina. 
SPHYR^NA. A name fometimes given to 
the fudis, or lucius marinas, the fea-pike. 
Sphyr^na Altera. An appellation by 
which Appian, and fome others of the ancient 
Greek writers, exprefs the efox, or common pike. 
SPIDER. A genus of the aptera order of in- 
fedls ; the charafters of v/hich are : they have eight 
feet and eight eyes; the mouth is furnifhed v/ith 
two claws; the two palpi are articulated; and the 
anus is provided with papilla, or nipples, for 
weaving. Linnseus enumerates forty-eight fpe- 
cies. 
The Spider being formed for a life of rapacity, 
and incapable of living on any other than infeft 
food, all it's habits are calculated to deceive and 
furprife: it fpreads toils to entangle it's prey; it is 
endued with patience to expefl it's approach ; and 
poflfefl^es arms and ftrength fufficient to deftroy it 
when fallen into the fnare. 
In this country, where all the infeft tribes are 
kept under by human affiduity. Spiders are but 
finall and harmlefs. We are acquainted with few 
except the Houfe-Spider, which weaves it's web 
in neglefted rooms; the Garden-Spider, that 
fpreads it's toils from tree to tree, and refls in the 
centre; the V/andering-Spider, that has no fixed 
abode; and the Field-Spider, that is fometimes 
feen mounting, web and all, into the clouds. 
Thefe are the chief of our native Spiders ; which, 
though reputed venomous, have never been fairly 
proved to poflefs any noxious qualities. But in 
Africa and America they compofe a much more 
formidable tribe : in thofe regions, where all the 
infeft fpecies attain their utmoft growth, where 
the butterfly is feen to expand a wing as broad as 
our fparrow, and the ant to build a habitation as 
tall as a man ; it is not at all furprifing that the 
Spider fiiould exhibit a proportionable magni- 
tude. In faft, the bottom of the Martinico Spi- 
der's body is as large as a hen's egg, and entirely 
covered with hair; it's web is ftrong; and it's 
bite is dangerous. 
Every Spider has two divifions in it's body. 
The fore-part, containing the head and breafl:, is 
feparated from the hinder part or belly by a very 
fiender thread, through which, however, there is 
a communication from one part to the other. 
The fore-part is covered with a hard fiiell, as well 
a-s the legs, which adhere to the bread. The 
hinder-part is cioathed with afupple flcin, entirely 
befet with hair. There are feveral brilliant and 
acute eyes arranged round the head, fometimes 
eight in number, and fometimes fix. Like all 
other infefts, the eyes of Spiders are immove- 
able, and they are deftitute of lids ; but this organ 
is fortified with a tranfparent horny fubfbance, 
Vol. II. 
S P I 
which at once fecures and afliflis their vifion. As 
the animal procures it's fubfiftence by the mofl. 
vigilant attention, fo large a number of eyes ap- 
pears neceflfary, in order to give it the earliefl: in- 
timation of the approach of it's prey. On the 
fore-part of the head there are two pincers, rough, 
with flrong points, toothed like a faw, and ter- 
minating in claws refembling thofe of the feline 
tribe. A little below the point of the claw there 
is a fmall hole, through which the animal emits 
a poifon, which, though innocent with regard to 
mankind, is fufficiently deleterious to deftroy it's 
prey. This is the moft powerful weapon which 
thefe infefts poflefs. Thefe pincers they can ex- 
tend or open as occafion requires; but, when un- 
difturbed, they fuffer them to lie one on the other, 
never opening them but when there is a neceflity 
for their exertion. 
Ail Spiders have eight legs, jointed like thofe 
of lobfters: and fimilar alfo in another refpedt; 
for, if a leg be torn away, or a joint cut off, a new 
one will quickly fucceed, and the animal will 
find itfelf fitted for combat as before. At the 
end of each leg there are three crooked moveable 
claws; namely, a finall one, placed higher up like 
a cock's fpur, by the afllftance of which it adheres 
to the threads of it's web. There are two others 
larger, meeting together like a lobfter's claw, by 
which they are enabled to catch hold of the fmall- 
eft deprefTions, walking up or down the very po- 
liflied fubfl:ances, where they can difcover inequa- 
lities imperceptible to cur grofl^er fight: but when 
they find it ncceffary to procure footing on fuch 
bodies as are perfectly fmooth, they fqueeze a lit- 
tle fponge, growing near the extremity of their 
claws, and thus diffufing a glutinous fubftance, 
adhere to the furface till they make a fecond fl:ep. 
Befides the eight members commonly denomi- 
nated legs, thefe animals have two others, v/hich 
may properly be called arms, as they do not aflifl: 
motion, but are only ferviceabie in holding and 
maftering their prey. 
But, though thus formidably equipped, the Spi- 
der would fcldom prove fuccefsful in the capture, 
were it not equally furniflied with other inftru- 
ments to afllft it's depredations. As it fubfifts 
wholly on flies, and is deftitute of wings for the 
purfuit, it would feem they muft confiantly ef- 
cape fuch an impotent adverfary; but the Spider 
is a moft experienced hunter, and fpreads it's fnares 
to catch thofe animals it is unable to overtake. 
The Spider's web is generally fufpended in thofe 
places where flies are moft apt to feek for fhelter; 
in the corners of rooms, round the edges of win- 
dows, and in the open air among the branches of 
trees : there the little animal remains for days, nay 
weeks together, in patient expeftation, feldom 
changing it's fituation though ever lo unfuccefs- 
ful. 
For the purpofe of conftruding it's web. Na- 
ture has fupplied the Spider with a large quan- 
tity of glutinous matter within it's body, and with 
five dugs or teats for fpinning it into thread. 
This fubftance is contained in a little bag; and, 
at firft- fight, refembles foft glue ; but, when more 
accurately examined, is found twifted into many 
coils of an agate colour; and, on breaking it, the 
contents may be eafily extended into threads, from 
the tenacity of the fubftance, not from thofe 
threads being already formed. 
The machine by which wire is artificially fpun 
will furnifli us with fome idea of the manner in 
4 G which 
