Note w — BOOK VIII.

Of the textrine Art of the Spider, and its Parts serving to that Purpose, see the last cited Place, Note (x).

Besides these, Caterpillars, and divers other Insects, can emit Threads, or Webs for their Use. In this their Nympha-State, they secure themselves from falling, and let themselves down from the Boughs of Trees, and other high Places, with one of these Threads. And in the Cases they weave, they secure themselves in their Aurelia-State.

And not only the Off-spring of the Phalæna-Tribe, but there are some of the Ichneumon-Fly Kind also, endowed with this textrine Art. Of these I have met with two Sorts; one that spun a Milk-white, long, round, silken Web, as big as the top of ones Fingers, not hollow within, as many are, but filled throughout with Silk. These are woven round Bents, Stalks of Ribwort, &c. in Meadows. The other is a lump of many yellow, silken Cases, sticking confusedly together on Posts, under Cole-worts, &c. These Webs contain in them, small, whitish Maggots; which turn to a small, black, Ichneumon-Fly, with long, capillary Antennæ; Tan-coloured Legs; long Wings reaching beyond their Body, with a black Spot near the middle; the Alvus, like an Heart; and in some, a small setaceous Tail. Some of these Flies were of a shining, beautiful green Colour. I could not perceive any Difference, at least, not specifical, between the Flies coming from those two Productions.