[ 66 5 ] 
webb in order to accommodate itfelf in its torpid date, 
during its pregnancy ; till the young ones creep out 
of its body, fhift for themfelves, and form a new 
generation. 
In this torpid date the legs and antennae grow no 
more, but the animal fwells up to an enormous fize in 
proportion to its firffc minute creeping date. The 
legs, antennae, and probofcis are fo fmall with refpect 
to the red of the body, that they cannot be eafily 
difcovered without very good eyes or magnifying- 
glades ; fo that, to an indifferent eye, it looks full as 
like a berry as an animal. 
This was the occafion of that conted mentioned 
by Pomet and other authors, which, fubfided fo many 
years, whether it was an animal or a vegetable pro- 
duction. But if perfons of curiofity would give them- 
felves the trouble to foak a few grains of the com- 
mon Cochineal of the fliops in warm water tor 24 
hours, they will obferve them to fwell up to their 
original diape ; fo that the legs, antenna;, and probofcis 
may be difcovered. What is remarkable in the pro- 
bofcis is, that we diall find in many of them the 
ends of two fine hairs or filaments remaining, with 
which it forms its webb, not unlike the filk worm ; 
which always fpins its cocoons with two threads, 
which, as they come out, unite together, with the 
nutural gluten of the animal. 
Further, if this animal, thus expanded by moidure, 
is opened in a watch glafs with a fine lancet in a 
little water, a great number of eggs with the young 
animals in them may be difcovered, which will 
exhibit a very agreeable fcene of a mod vivid crimfon 
hue. 
4 Qj* 
As 
