Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Sagacity Of A Spider; It's Structure And Properties Delineated.
dilate it ' s sphincter . In order tp fix it ' s thread , when it begins to weave , it emits a small drop of it ' s liquid against -the-wall , which hardened by degrees , serves to hold the thread very firmly . Then proceeding from the first point , as it recedes the thread lengthens ; and when ° the spider is come to the p lace where the other end of the thread should be fixedgathering up with it ' s clawsthe thread
, , , which would otherwise be too slack , is stretched tightly , and fixed , in the same manner as before . : In this manner , it spins and fixes several threads parallel to each other , which , so to speak , serve as the warp to the intended web . To form the woof , it spins in the same manner it ' s thread transversly ; fixing one end to the first thread that was spun , and which '
is always the strongest of the wholeweb , and the other to the wall . AH these threads being newly spun , are glutinous , and therefore stick to each other wherever they happen to touch ; and in those parts of the web most exposed to be torn , by doubling the thread * sometimes sixfold . Thus far naturalists have gone in the description of this animal :
what follows , is the result of my own observation upon that species cf the insect called the house spider . I perceived , some time ago , a large spider in one corner of my room making it ' s web ; and though the maid frequently levelled her fatal broom against the labours of the little animal , I had the good fortune then to prevent it's destruction ; and I may say , if more than paid me , by the
entertainment it afforded . In three days the web was with incredible diligence completed : nor could I avoid thinking , that the insect seemed to exult in it ' s new abode . If frequently traversed it round , examined the strength of every part of it ; retired into it ' s hole , and came out very frequentlyT ^ he first enemy it had to encounter , was another , and a
. " much larger spider : which having no web of it ' s own , and having probably exhausted all it ' s ' stock in former labours of this kind , tame to invade the property of it ' s neig hbour . Soon , then , a terrible encounter ensued , in which the invader seemed to have the victory , and the laborious spider was obliged tp take refuge in it ' s hole . ' Upon this " , I perceived the victor using every art to draw
the enemy from his strong hold . He seemed to go off , but quickly returned , and when he found all arts vain , began to demolish the new web , without mercy . This brought on another battle , in which the laborious spider became conqueror , and fairly killed his antagonist . Now then , in peaceable possession of what was justly it ' s own ,
it waited three days with the utmost patience , repairing the breaches of it ' s web , and taking no subsistance that I could perceive . At last , however , a large blue fly fell into the snare , and struggled hard to get loose . " The ' spider gave it leave to entangle itself as much as possible ; but it seemed to be too strong for the cobweb . 1 must own I was greatly surprised , when I saw the spider immediately sally out , and in less than a minute , weave a new net round
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Sagacity Of A Spider; It's Structure And Properties Delineated.
dilate it ' s sphincter . In order tp fix it ' s thread , when it begins to weave , it emits a small drop of it ' s liquid against -the-wall , which hardened by degrees , serves to hold the thread very firmly . Then proceeding from the first point , as it recedes the thread lengthens ; and when ° the spider is come to the p lace where the other end of the thread should be fixedgathering up with it ' s clawsthe thread
, , , which would otherwise be too slack , is stretched tightly , and fixed , in the same manner as before . : In this manner , it spins and fixes several threads parallel to each other , which , so to speak , serve as the warp to the intended web . To form the woof , it spins in the same manner it ' s thread transversly ; fixing one end to the first thread that was spun , and which '
is always the strongest of the wholeweb , and the other to the wall . AH these threads being newly spun , are glutinous , and therefore stick to each other wherever they happen to touch ; and in those parts of the web most exposed to be torn , by doubling the thread * sometimes sixfold . Thus far naturalists have gone in the description of this animal :
what follows , is the result of my own observation upon that species cf the insect called the house spider . I perceived , some time ago , a large spider in one corner of my room making it ' s web ; and though the maid frequently levelled her fatal broom against the labours of the little animal , I had the good fortune then to prevent it's destruction ; and I may say , if more than paid me , by the
entertainment it afforded . In three days the web was with incredible diligence completed : nor could I avoid thinking , that the insect seemed to exult in it ' s new abode . If frequently traversed it round , examined the strength of every part of it ; retired into it ' s hole , and came out very frequentlyT ^ he first enemy it had to encounter , was another , and a
. " much larger spider : which having no web of it ' s own , and having probably exhausted all it ' s ' stock in former labours of this kind , tame to invade the property of it ' s neig hbour . Soon , then , a terrible encounter ensued , in which the invader seemed to have the victory , and the laborious spider was obliged tp take refuge in it ' s hole . ' Upon this " , I perceived the victor using every art to draw
the enemy from his strong hold . He seemed to go off , but quickly returned , and when he found all arts vain , began to demolish the new web , without mercy . This brought on another battle , in which the laborious spider became conqueror , and fairly killed his antagonist . Now then , in peaceable possession of what was justly it ' s own ,
it waited three days with the utmost patience , repairing the breaches of it ' s web , and taking no subsistance that I could perceive . At last , however , a large blue fly fell into the snare , and struggled hard to get loose . " The ' spider gave it leave to entangle itself as much as possible ; but it seemed to be too strong for the cobweb . 1 must own I was greatly surprised , when I saw the spider immediately sally out , and in less than a minute , weave a new net round