ther buildings, where the effects of such
trials might easily be ascertained. If such a method should succeed,
the whole race might readily, and with great facility and certainty, be
exterminated.

SPASMS. An involuntary and painful contraction of the muscles may arise
from various causes, and require different modes of treatment. But if no
medical assistance be at hand, the application of volatile liniments to
the part affected, a clyster with a little laudanum in it, or the warm
bath, may be tried with advantage.

SPERMACETI OINTMENT. This is made of a quarter of a pint of fine salad
oil, a quarter of a pound of white wax, and half an ounce of spermaceti,
melted over a gentle fire, and kept stirring till the ointment is cold.

SPICES. As it regards health, spices are generally improper; but black
pepper, ginger, and cayenne, may be esteemed the best. Nutmegs, cloves,
mace, cinnamon, and allspice, are generally productive of indigestion
and headach, in persons of a weakly habit.

SPIDERS. These industrious insects are generally loathed and destroyed,
though they are extremely useful in reducing the quantity of flies, and
serve as a very accurate barometer for the weather. When they are
totally inactive, it is a certain sign that rain will shortly follow;
but if they continue to spin during a shower, it indicates that the rain
will soon be over, and that calm and fine weather will succeed. If the
weather be about to change, and become wet or windy, the spider will
make the supporters of his web very short; but if the threads be
extended to an unusual length, the weather will continue serene for ten
or twelve days, or more, according to the length of the threads which
support the web. The red spider however is very injurious and
destructive to different sorts of plants and fruit-trees, especially in
forcing houses. It is found particularly so to those of the forced
French bean, melon; peach, vine, cherry, currant, and some other kinds.
The generation and production of this insect are greatly caused and
promoted by the dry warm heat that is constantly kept up in the houses
which contain these sorts of plants and trees, and there are many other
circumstances which combine in bringing it forth. It is an insect which
has no wings, and the female is oviparous. Several different methods
have been attempted in order to the removal and destruction of it.
Constant daily watering, or washing the trees, are said to have