readily to discern its prey in every direction. They have two pincers on the fore-part of the head, with strong points toothed like a saw, and terminating in claws like those of a cat; these are their most powerful weapons, and they never use them but in case of great necessity: their legs are jointed like those of lobsters, and are like them in another respect, viz. that if a leg or a joint be torn away, a new one will quickly form in its place, in every respect as useful to the animal; their claws are of a peculiar construction, adapted both for their movements on different substances, and for assisting in the construction of their webs. In addition to the legs used for motion, they have another pair, which may properly be denominated arms, as they are used only in holding and managing the prey. As the spider subsists on flies, which it has no wings to pursue, nature has furnished it with a compensation, in a small bag of glutinous matter, from which it spins fine thread, and forms a curious web or net, in the toils of which it entangles its prey. Having fixed on a convenient spot, which is usually in the corners of neglected rooms, round the edges of windows, or in the open air among the branches of trees, it drops a very small quantity of its glutinous liquor, which is very tenacious; then creeping up the wall, and joining its threads as it proceeds, it darts with amazing rapidity to the opposite place, where the other end of its web is to be fastened. The first thread thus formed, drawn tight, and fixed

at each end, the spider then runs upon it backward and forward, doubling and strengthening it, as upon the firmness of this beam depends the strength and stability of the whole concern. It then proceeds to draw a number of threads parallel with the first, and then crosses them with others, and secures the whole with an edging, double or treble the thickness of the other threads. It next, in the bottom of the web, forms a kind of funnel for its own retreat, where it lies concealed, ready to dart upon flies, or other insects, which become entangled in its web, inject its poison, and suck their blood. The patience of the spider is truly admirable; it will sit for hours, and even days, waiting for success: nor less so its perseverance under adversity; for such may be truly denominated the frequent accidents that destroy its labours: on these occasions it never appears discouraged, but sets to work with persevering assiduity, to repair the mischief. How much more commendable is such a disposition, in rational creatures, than one of headstrong rashness, by which the best-laid projects are often defeated; or one that gives way to useless wailings under adversity, instead of bearing up under losses and inconvenience, making the best of circumstances as they are, and endeavouring to improve them by patient diligence. But it is a matter of regret, that the labours of the spider are bestowed on a building so fragile, and which must inevitably be exposed to destruction.-Striking emblem of all worldly schemes and dependencies:

"The spider's most attenuated thread,
Is cord, is cable, to man's tender tie

On earthly bliss, it breaks at every breeze!"

The references of scripture suggest this idea, but with additional and peculiar force, in describing the hopes and projects of wicked men, especially hypocrites. "They weave the web of the spider, of their webs no garment shall be made; neither shall they cover themselves with their works,” Isa. lix. 56. “So are the paths of all that forget God, and the hypocrite's hope shall perish, whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider's web. He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand; he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure,” Job viii. 13, 14, 15. Like the fine-spun and curiously woven web of the spider, which the slightest touch destroys, so shall be all his deep-laid schemes and contrivances. The spider's web is designed to be a covering for herself, and a snare to her neighbour. The hypocrite assumes a profession of religion, and with much care and artifice covers the baseness of his real character, to answer some sinister and worldly end; but a little time sweeps away his fine-spun veil, and exposes his real character to every eye. Like the spider, he perishes in the ruins of the habitation which he had constructed with so much care, and amid the fatal security on which he reposed. Be it our happiness to possess an imperishable treasure ; and a hope that maketh not ashamed!

The spider is mentioned in one translation of Prov.

xxx. 28.; but this is generally supposed rather to refer to a very small species of scorpion, which infests the houses of the East.

The Flea.

This well-known, and universally despised and detested little creature, is only twice referred to in scripture, viz. 1 Sam. xxiv. 14. xxvi. 20. when David, remonstrating against the restless, unprovoked, and unprofitable cruelty of Saul, says, that the king of Israel came out as against a flea; that which would cost much labour in the pursuit, and be totally useless when obtained; and which, in fact, it was a degradation to him to attempt.

Lice.

These disgusting little creatures are spoken of as one of the plagues inflicted on rebellious Egypt. There is, however, a difference of opinion, whether the creature intended were those properly denominated lice, or rather a kind of gnats, which are described as winged insects, so small as to escape any but the acutest sight, yet when settled on the body they wound it with a most sharp and painful pierce. In either case, swarms of these little creatures, though in themselves so contemptible, would become, in the hands of Divine vengeance, both a dreadful and a degrading scourge, and, as we have already had occasion to observe, all the plagues inflicted on that wicked nation, were of a nature, as well to mortify their pride, as to punish their obstinacy.

VEGETABLES.

THE Science of Botany, or the structure and nature of plants, is one of the most pleasing and interesting that can engage the mind of youth. The limits of this work preclude the possibility of treating the subjects brought under notice, in a scientific way.All that can be done will be to classify the various productions of the earth mentioned in Scripture-to make a few general remarks on the most prominent peculiarities of each-and to refer the young reader, who desires a more scientific knowledge of the subject, to standard works, where he may satisfactorily and profitably obtain it.

The original classification adopted in Scripture, appears to be threefold: viz, Grasses,-Herbaceous plants or shrubs, and Trees; but as there are several very important kinds of vegetables which do not come under either of these classes, according to the ideas we attach to them, we shall not confine ourselves by any specific arrangement, but proceed from the humblest vegetable productions of the valley, upwards, to the majestic cedars that crown. he top of Lebanon.