Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/133

113&#93; SPI in. Garden-Thymb fr^z/mz/s vulgaris) is a spicy herb, the fra- grant blossoms of which should be colledted, dried, and used like those of the preceding. IV. Savoky: See p. 24, of this volume. V. Marjoram : See vol. iii. p, 10/. VI. Cicely : See vol. i. p. 527. Vn. Sage, the Balsamine: See p. 9, of this volume. VIII. Tarragon; which see. IX. Spignel : See next page. Beside these, we shall remind the reader of a icsff other spicy plants commonly met with, in British gardens ; for instance, fen- nel, coriander, mustard, caraway, rue, mint, penny-royal, balm, mugwort, &c. — When compared with some of the foreign drugs, they excel many of the latter, both in flavour and virtues, so as to render their importation superflu- ous: nay, the untutored Indians may justly smile at the folly of Eu- ropeans who, instead of encourag- ing the culture of native plants, or such as readily grow in their cli- mates, send the money earned by t!ie industry and hard labour of their husbandmen, over the tem- •pestuous ocean — frequently at the loss of many valuable lives. Spices are subje6k to various du- ties, which are stated in their re- spedive places. Hence it remains only to be added, that all spicery is prohibited, by the 13 and 14 Car. II. c. 2, to be imported from Ger- jnany and the Netherlands, except cinnamon, cloves,- mace, and nut- megs. These articles are permitted by the 6 Geo. I. c. 21, the 8 Geo. I. c. 18, and several subse- quent ads, to be imported from sro, XIII.— vol. IV, SPI [113 any country, in British vessels le- gally navigated. SPIDER, or Ara?iea, L. a genus of insects comprehending 50 spe- cies, of which the following' are the principal ; namely : 1. The Common House- Spider, Is generally of a black-colour; has eight legs, each of which is fur- nished with three joints, and ter- minates in three crooked claws. This insed has eight eyes ; and, in the fore- part of the head, there is a pair of pincers, or claws, with which it kills flies, &c. for food. It is also provided with five warts or protninences, at the extremity of the abdomen, through which its viscous filaments are evolved. Spiders abound in almost every house, spinning their webs in cor- ners of the ceiling, where they are not disturbed. The females are very prolific, laying from 4, to 500 extremely minute eggs ; and, tho* both sexes mutually devour each other with great ferocity, except in the breeding season, their numbers are not perceptibly dimi- nished, / These insefts are remarkable for tlieir industry: their appearance, however, excites a degree of dis- gust in many weak-minded per- sons, who are apt to persecute and destroy them, without mercy. But, ind.'penciently of their utility in reducing the number of flies that: appear during the summer, they alford a very accurate natural ba~ rometer 3 because the celerity, or indolence, wi^h which they work, indicate the approaching variations of the atmosphere. Thus, if the weather be about to change, and become wet, or windy, the saga- cious creatures make the terminat- ing filaments that support their I welp.