IV 
PREFACE. 
readers, extraft from it briefly fome obfervations, which 1 have not made 
myfelf, but which are there related as well worthy of attention. 
Page 8. “ But what exceeds all belief, and what there is not the leaf! 
mention of, in the works either of the ancients or moderns, is, that 
Spiders^ when young or middle-aged (for I have never obferved it in full- 
grown young ones) have the faculty of mounting by the affiftance of their 
thread, and, committing themfelves to a gentle gale, of riling in the air 
into the very clouds. Thus much is certain, that they have been carried 
far out of my fight, even though I afcended the loftieff towers, on purpofe 
to obferve this particular.’’ 
Page 9. “ The thread, boiled in common water, does not liquefy ; nor 
does it melt in the fire, if expofed to it : it is not inflammable ; but like 
gum, retains its glutinous nature.” 
Page 13. ‘‘ Goedart, the Dutch writer, fays “ the Fly, of which we 
here give a figure, is a violent enemy to spiders, and purfues them with 
a peculiar antipathy, and kills them ; while other Flies fall the prey of 
Spiders, being entangled in their web. I have obferved the above-men- 
tioned Flies, while the Spiders have been fitting in the middle of their 
web, watching the arrival of Flies, to feize upon them, and give them a 
fatal wound. When the Spiders perceive them, they endeavour to efcape 
by fuddenly dropping down to the ground by their thread; the Flies 
however purfue them, and break all the bones of their legs, one after the 
other ; and at length having obtained their viftory, walk round and 
round them, as if in triumph. This I have thrice obferved, and after- 
