VI 
P R E F A C E. 
leather, not being willing to venture it on my own Ikin ; fo that whether 
the lymph be venomous, and in how great a degree, I am ftill ignorant.'" 
There are feveral other remarkable particulars mentioned in Lister, 
but not of fo much importance as thofe I have extra6led. 
For the fake of clearnefs, it was neceflary that I fhould call certain 
parts of Spiders by particular names, according to their ufes and funftions, 
at leaft fo far as was confonant to my own ideas of them. I fhall be 
happy, if they are approved; but fhall willingly fuffer others to be fub- 
ftituted, that may bell ferve to explain the parts. 
Ido not contend for the propriety of the trivial names which I have 
given to Spiders. It is, however, not material by what names they are 
called, provided the figures do but fhew accurately the appearance of the 
refpeftive fpecies, called by this or that particular title. 
I ALSO think it better to acknowledge an uncertainty, as to fome of 
them being really diftin6l fpecies, or being only different from fex or age, 
than to obtrude an uncertain manner as a certainty. A few, i have ab- 
folutely diffinguifhed, for reafons which feemed to require it ; but if 
future and more accurate obfervations fhould prove that any two or 
more fpecies are in reality but one and the fame, I fhall willingly give up 
my former opinion. 
I COULD have wifhed alfo, had time permitted, to have given figures, 
which would have borne the moft rigid examination ; fo as in the moft 
perfe6l manner to agree with their defcriptions : I am afraid, however. 
