432 The Animal-Lore of Shakspeare's Time. 
solid learning, and well experienced in most sciences ” 
(:Theater of Insects , p. 1073). The medicinal virtues of 
the spider’s web are also referred to by Bottom the weaver: 
“ I shall desire you of more acquaintance, good master 
Cobweb: if I cut my finger, I shall make bold with you ” 
(Midsummer Night's Bream, iii. 1, 184). 
Another use of these little creatures was to provide a 
dainty repast for the small monkeys or marmosets, the 
favourite pets of this period. In Ben Jonson’s Staple of 
News (ii. 1), Almanack says of old Penny Boy , as a skit 
upon his penuriousness, that he— 
“ Sweeps down no cobwebs here, 
But sells them for cut fingers; and the spiders. 
As creatures reared of dust, and cost him nothing, 
To fat old ladies’ monkeys.” 
Mr. Patterson points that though Shakspeare ha& 
twice mentioned the silvery threads of gossamer, it is 
not in connexion with the little being from whom it 
originates, and with which he was probably unacquainted: 
“ A lover may bestride the gossamer, 
That idles in the wanton summer air, 
And yet not fall: so light is vanity.” 
(Romeo and Juliet , ii. 6, 18.) 
The “lash of film,” wielded by Queen Mat's coach¬ 
man, was in all probability composed of this delicate 
material. 
Sir Thomas Herbert, in the account of his travels, 
begun in the year 1626, gives a description 
Scorpion. ^ Scorpions in Cashan, a city in Persia:— 
“ But which rages there in no less violence is scorpio; not that in the 
Zodiak, but real scorpions which in numbers engender here. A little 
serpent of a finger long, which makes me marvel at Cedrenus, who 
says there are scorpions 2 cubits long in the Brachmans countrey, i.e. 
India, like but less than our cray-fish ; and is the onely creature that 
stings with his tail, some flyes excepted. Of great terrour is the 
sting; and so inflaming as with their invenomed arrow some die, few 
