Singular Anecdote of the Spider, by Capt. Bagnold.—Desirous of ascertaining the natural food of the scorpion, I enclosed one (which measured three fourths of an inch from the head to the insertion of the tail) in a wide mouthed phial, together with one of those large spiders so common in the West Indies, and closed it with a cork, perforated by a quill, for the admission of air: the insects seemed carefully to avoid each other, retiring to opposite ends of the bottle, which was placed horizontally. By giving it a gradual inclination, the scorpion was forced into contact with the spider, when a sharp encounter took place, the latter receiving repeated stings from his venomous adversary, apparently without the least injury, and with his web, soon lashed the scorpion's tail to his back, subsequently securing his legs and claws with the materials. In this state I left them some time, in order to observe what effect would be produced on the spider by the wounds he had received. On my return, however, I was disappointed, the ants having entered and destroyed them both.
[Ibid.
Spontaneous Combustion.—From the Baltimore Morning Chronicle.—At my mills there was an iron kettle used for holding ashes—it had remained with ashes in from the 5th to the 9th month at which time flaxseed oil was by accident spilled into the ashes; in about 24 hours the ashes were found to be on fire, and wishing to have it fully ascertained, whether it was the oil which occasioned the ashes to take fire, I filled a kettle with cold dry ashes, in which I poured a pint of flaxseed oil, and in 24 hours I examined it, and found that, as far as the oil had penetrated the ashes were in a state of combustion, and, applying some shavings and chips of wood, it immediately caused them to blaze.
From an apprehension that many buildings have been consumed by fires from the foregoing cause, I have been induced to give publicity to the fact.
Joseph Atkinson.
Ellicot Patapsco Mills, }
1 mo. 22d. 1820. }
Spontaneous Combustion.—Sir I observe, in your paper of yesterday that your correspondent Davyana has made an unsuccessful experiment, to verify the account given by Mr. Atkinson of a Spontaneous Combustion, produced some time ago, at his mills near Baltimore, by the accidental mixture of linseed oil and wood ashes.
An experiment has also been made, with a similar view, at the Mint of the United States. The ashes employed were chiefly from hickery wood, well sifted, and cold; and the quantity of linseed oil, one pint. No change of temperature was perceived, till about 46 hours after the oil had been poured on the ashes, when the mixture was fairly ignited, and in a short time emitted flame, which continued upwards of an hour. After the flame had ceased, the ignition continued for about 18 hours, and the ashes were then poured out of the vessel.
R. P.
[Poulson's Am. Daily Adv.