HÉBERT. Autograph manuscript, 25 pp. in-4, ca. 1775-1780. So - Lot 70

Lot 70
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HÉBERT. Autograph manuscript, 25 pp. in-4, ca. 1775-1780. So - Lot 70
HÉBERT. Autograph manuscript, 25 pp. in-4, ca. 1775-1780. Some corrections. A fascinating study of spiders, one of the first conducted on these animals, in which Hébert details the results of his observations and proposes a classification of spiders into 5 divisions. "[...] it must be admitted that good minds will never deal with spiders [...]. M. Geoffroy and some Methodists have divided their classes by the number of eyes. One could hardly imagine a less reliable and convenient division. First of all, it is highly doubtful that the bright spots seen on the heads of some are eyes. I have carried out many experiments which have convinced me that several species are blind. All those that set nets or weave webs seem to use only the senses of touch, they are not attracted by bait, and they only flee when touched; they can be burned with a candle that is approached slowly. Secondly, you need a magnifying glass and even a microscope to see these so-called eyes [...]. Here is my division. 1° domestic spiders, which inhabit our homes and are not found in gardens. 2° garden spiders, which set their nets in the open air and wait patiently for their prey. 3° vagrant spiders, which run over the ground, spy on their prey and launch themselves at it without setting their nets. 4° spiders I call scorpion spiders, whose legs are attached horizontally like those of scorpions. 5° aquatic spiders, which live at the bottom of the water in a kind of air-filled bell". He details these different categories, dividing domestic spiders into 5 species. He also discusses spider mating, the webs they weave, how to observe them, etc.
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