of obtaining a supply of air; to this end, it has a slender tube attached to one of the rings of its body, near the tail: the end of this tube is surrounded with a fringe of hairs, which when expanded, has sufficient buoyancy to keep the body floating; and when the insect sinks in the water, these hairs are folded over the opening of the tube, and enclose a small bubble of air, which serves as a supply, until its return to the surface.

Several parts of the Spider are very curious, and none more so than the spinning apparatus: annexed is a highly magnified view of this rope-making organ. The thread of the spider, it will be seen, small as it appears to be to the naked eye, is composed of numerous filaments, of a still finer nature, which unite together at a short distance from the openings through which they

Poison Claw.

and Spineret of the Spider. are drawn. The palpi, or feelers of the spider have a curious pointed hook at the end of each, which closes, for the purpose of taking hold of any thing, something like a clasp-knife.

The down with which the wings of moths and butterflies are covered, appears when examined by the microscope, to be a series of minute scales varying in form in

different species, and arranged in rows, as may be seen by the lower part of the figure.

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Scules on the Butterfl'ys wings.

The annexed cut is a magnified view of the common Flea. The great muscular power of the flea has caused many curious contrivances; it has been harnessed to carriages of various descriptions, which have been drawn along with apparent ease, although seventy or eighty times its own weight. With its powerful legs, it can make the most extraordinary leaps, upwards of two hundred times. the length of its own body. Considering the size of the animal, this is the same as if a man were to jump more

than three times the height of St. Paul's, or about twelve hundred feet. If the strength of an elephant was equal, in proportion to its bulk, to that of this little tormentor, its power would be irresistible. The weapons with which the Flea is provided may, by dexterous management, be seen through a good microscope; they consist of a most delicate set of cutting-instruments, acting something like

dals were among the early, but not the later, AngloSaxons.

The preceding cut is of a " very curious sandal," from one made of leather, partly gilt, and variously coloured. It was formerly in the possession of Mr. Bailey, leatherstainer, Little Wild-street, Drury-lane, and afterward in that of Mr. Samuel Ireland of Norfolk-street, by whose permission, an engraving on copper was made by Mr. J. T. Smith of the British Museum, and from this the present representation is given. The age of the sandal is not by the writer deternable, but as a remarkable relic of antiquity, its form and make deserve preservation. It will be observed, that it belonged to the left foot of the wearer; so that if other evidence could not be adduced, this is proof that " rights and lefts" are only an old, old, very old" fashion revived.

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The following cut represents a shoe that was in fashion in England at the period of the Restoration. It will

undoubtedly amuse our readers, as some of our own fashions will amuse future generations.

The shoe is of a white kid leather, calashed with black

velvet. There are marks of stitches by which ornaments had been affixed to it. Its clog is simply a straight piece of stout leather, inserted in the under leather at the toe, and attached to the heel. That such were walked in is certain; that the fair wearers could have run in them is impossible to imagine.

A GREAT CAVERN DISCOVERED IN IRELAND.

The following account of a magnificent cave ately discovered near the town of Caher, by some workmen employed in quarrying stone, will be read with interest. The first indication of the subterranean edifice, was an opening in the rock, about twenty feet from the surface, capable of admitting the body of one person. Prompted by curiosity,one of the men entered the opening, and proceeded along a sloping declivity which terminated at the distance of forty or fifty feet from the entrance, in an abrupt descent of about twenty feet. Unable to advance further he returned, and having procured a ladder, he, accompanied by two or three of the workmen, proceeded to explore the cavern.. Having descended the ladder they proceeded along a passage about three hundred yards in length, forty feet in breadth, and generally between thirty and forty feet in height, at the termination of which a superb cavern, nearly one mile in circumfe rence, presented itself to their view. This grand cavern seemed to be supported by about one hundred and fifty crystal columns, varying in height from thirty to forty feet, and in diameter from one to eight feet. In the middle of this spacious cavern is placed a crystalized petrifaction exactly resembling a table, about seven feet in length and two in breadth, surmounted with crystal candlebras of the most curious constructure.

The following account is given by one of the company.

"It would be endless were I to enumerate the variety of surprising creations which nature has displayed in