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An attempt was made by M, Boo, a French

man, to establish a manufacture of spider's

silk; but, after many experiments, it was deemed impracticable, as it required twenty eight thousand cods to make one pound of silk; and, as none but the females split those cods, it was necessary to breed a much greater number of spiders. But such is their car oivo roes disposition, it was impossible to prevent their preying upon each other, though they were provided with the soft substance of fresh quills, which seems to be a suitable food for them. M. Bon, however, succeeded so far as to obtain two or three pair of stockings and gloves of this silk, which were of an elegant grey colour. And, could he have carried his scheme into execution, there would have been several new genuine colours iii silk; such as grey, white, sky-blue, and coffee colour; whereas, the silkworm yields only different shades of yellow.

The flight of spiders is a peculiarity that deserves notice, and seems to be the privilege of the young alone. In the autumnal season, these aerial voyagers ascend some slight eminence, and, turning themselves, with their heads towards the wind, throw out several threads, and, committing themselves to the gale, they are carried to a prodigious height.

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