Cobweb, the delicate silken thread woven by the spider, and applied to various uses by the different species. Some form of it webs in which to entangle their prey, others use it as a lining for their habitation, and others make with it a soft nest for their eggs. Each thread which we see with the naked eye is formed of thousands of minute strands, which, coming separately from the body of the spider, unite at a short distance from it, not by twisting, but by their glutinous nature. The webs of different species of spiders are of various construction, adapted to the nature and habits of the creature. Some are very remarkable for their tenacity, being sufficiently strong to catch small birds. Sir George Staunton, in his "Embassy to China," states that spiders' webs are met with in the forests of Java of so strong a texture as to require to be cut through with a knife. In the "American Journal of Science," vol. xxvii., p. 307, is an account of a live striped snake suspended in a web by the tail, which was tied in a knot.

Three spiders appeared to have accomplished this feat, having spun a cord of great size to connect the snake with the centre of the web above; they had also securely tied up the mouth of the reptile by a multitude of threads wound around it. - Cobwebs have been applied to various uses. The delicate cross hairs in the telescopes of surveying instruments are fine webs taken from spiders of species that are especially selected for their production of an excellent quality of this material. The spider, when caught, is made to spin his thread by tossing him from hand to hand, in case he is indisposed to furnish the article. The end is attached to a piece of wire, which is doubled into two parallel lengths, the distance apart exceeding a little the diameter of the instrument. As the spider hangs and descends from this, the web is wound upon it by turning the wire round. The coils are then gummed to the wire and kept for use as required. About a century ago, Boa of Languedoc succeeded in making a pair of gloves and a pair of stockings from the thread of the spider. They were very strong, and of a beautiful gray color.

Other attempts of the same kind have been made; but Reaumur, who was appointed by the royal academy to report on the subject, stated that the web of the spider was not equal to that of the silkworm either in strength or lustre. The cocoons of the latter weigh from three to four grains, so that 2,304 worms produce a pound of silk; but the bags of the spider when cleaned do not weigh above the third part of a grain, so that a single silkworm can accomplish the work of twelve spiders. It has been said that the spider web is beneficial in intermittent fever, asthma, and hysteria; but careful modern observation has not confirmed the statements heretofore made as to its extraordinary therapeutic virtues.