Such I did frequently observe at _Rome_, which espying a Fly at three
or four yards distance, upon the Balcony (where I stood) would not make
directly to her, but craul under the Rail, till being arriv'd to the
_Antipodes_, it would steal up, seldom missing its aim; but if it
chanced to want any thing of being perfectly opposite, would at first
peep, immediatly slide down again, till taking better notice, it would
come the next time exactly upon the Fly's back: But, if this hapn'd not
to be within a competent leap, then would this Insect move so softly,
as the very shadow of the Gnomon seem'd not to be more imperceptible,
unless the Fly mov'd; and then would the Spider move also in the same
proportion, keeping that just time with her motion, as if the same Soul
had animated both those little bodies; and whether it were forwards,
backwards, or to either side, without at all turning her body, like a
well mannag'd Horse: But, if the capricious Fly took wing, and pitch'd
upon another place behind our Huntress, then would the Spider whirle
its body so nimbly about, as nothing could be imagin'd more swift; by
which means, she always kept the head towards her prey, though to
appearance, as immovable, as if it had been a Nail driven into the
Wood, till by that indiscernable progress (being arriv'd within the
sphere of her reach) she made a fatal leap (swift as Lightning) upon
the Fly, catching him in the pole, where she never quitted hold till
her belly was full, and then carried the remainder home.
Pages:
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443