Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/134

114&#93; 114] SPI web, uncommonly short. But, if such threads he extetided to an un- tisual length, the weather will re- main serene for ten or twelve days, or for a longer jjeriiwl, aci-ording to the proportionate elei.sion of the iormer. On the contrary, when the spiders are totally inactive, rain will shortly follow ; but, if they continue to spin during a shower, it is a certain indication, that the rain will speedily cease, and be succeeded by calm, fair weather, 2. The Caiycina, or Garden Spi- der, varies from the preceding s{>e- cies only in its having a round, pale- yellow belly, and two hollow points. It inhabits the calyces, or cups of flowers, after the floral leaves are decayed; where it preys upon bees, and other flies, that resort thither for honey. — ^This insert yields a kind of silk, which is by some deemed little inferior to that pro- duced by the worm ; but, as the filaments. of the former are, in the opinion of Reaumur, not equal to those of the latter, cither in strength or lustre, they are never employed in manuf36ures. SPIDER, the Red, or Scarlet Tree-mitk, Acariis batcnrum, L. a small insetf, having a roundish body, and a smooth, glossy skin. The colour is a deep-red, and the whole animal appears to be dis- tended, and ready to burst. It frequents currant and otiier fruit- trees ; but is particularly destruc- tive in hot-houses. Hence gar- deners have resorted to dittVrcnt methods of extirpating them, and especially that of spnnkling them with a strong ley of wood-as'ne.s ; but, as the saline particles of this liquor are very hurtful to tender plants, it will be more advisable to remove such vermin, by means of Hcoaunou paiuLci's brush ; — their SPI depredations may likewise be pre- vrnled, by keeping the hot-house perfeC-tly clean. — See also the arti- cles Insects, vol. iii, p. g, and Pink. APPLE, vol. lii. p. 383. SPIOERWORT, the Marsh, MAKSH-TOKlELniA, or ScOTCM Asphodel, Antheriann cali/culu- tum, L. (Toficldia pabisiris oi Drs. Smith and Withering), a native perennial, which grows in bfjgs, on mount ins in Scotland, and lloucri from July to September. — Tliis plant, thongh useless in domestic economy, deserves some notice ; because it may serve as a guide to dig for peat, in situations destitute of sea-coal. SPIGNEL, or Spicknel, jKthusa Meum, L, a native peren- nial, growing in mountainous pas- tures, principally in the northern counties, where it flowers in the month of May. — ^The roots and seeds of this vegetable have a plea- sant aromatic smell, and a hot, bit- terish taste. They have occasion- ally been used as carminativea ; and also been administered in ter- tian agues. At present, they are seldom employed, either in domes- tic economy, or in medicine i though Dr. Withering observes, that they will often answer as sub- stitutes for pepper, or other pua- LCiit nromatics. SPIKE-OIL, the name of an es- sential oil distilled from the La- vendek-spike, considerable quan- tities of which, are used by var- nish-makers, painters in enamel, &c. — See also vol. iii. p. 'J'l. SPINACH, or Spinage, the Common, Spinacia oleiucea, L. an exotic plant, cultivated in Britain, for culinary purposes. If intended for winter-iise, it is propagated by the seed, in beds of light, rich earth, towardi the end of July, and