THE following publication is founded on two works, both of eftabliilied
reputation, though of very different merit.
T H E work of Mr. CHARLES CLERCK, of Sweden, on the Spiders of his
own country, has been long admired and celebrated. His information
refpefting a clafs of Infefts, which many may feel it in fome meafure
difagreeable to ftudy from nature, is minute, curious, and interefting.
His method and arrangement of the fubjea, are truly luminous and fcientific.
The book, at the fame time, was become fcarce, and the price of
it was confequently much enhanced. Indeed, many lovers of NATURAL
HISTORY, have found it fcarcely poffible to obtain a copy, at any price.
At their follicitation, therefore, Mr. MARTYN firft turned his thoughts to
the revifion, and republication of it; its intrinfic value feemed to deferve
all the time and trouble which he could beftow (and not a little has he
bellowed, to give it a new and more elegant appearance); while the
pra£licable fize of the work, which he faw would not, after all, detain
him very long from greater purfuits, encouraged him to engage in it. It
is now for the firft time given in an Engliih drefs; and accompanied by
a new feries of paintings, illuftrative of the fubjefts defcribed.
T H E work of our countryman ELEAZAR ALBIN, on Engliih Spiders, is
of another defcription. His information in general is loofe, mifcellaneous,
and immethodical: though fometimes it is amufing, and often
inftruftive; but he principally excels in the fidelity and correanefs