Injurious io Man. 



9 



g. 



cramp, profuse perspiration, mental disturbances, fever, vomitin 

 convulsions, etc. 



The poison-glands of a scorpion are paired, and are situated in 

 the last (postanal) segment of the " tail." The latter is jointed and 

 very flexible, and is curved forward over its body by the scorpion 

 when striking. The poison is a clear, slightly acid fluid, apparently 

 very like that of a cobra. 



The best treatment for the sting of a scorpion is first to apply 

 a proximal* ligature, and then to make an incision at the point of 

 puncture and wash the wound well with 

 a strong solution of permanganate of 

 potash (or inject the solution). 



Order — Araneae (Spiders). 



The Venom of Spiders. 



The poison- glands of spiders are 

 paired, being situated in the cephalo- 

 thorax, or anterior division of the body, 

 in most spiders, but in the basal parts 

 of the chelicerae, or poison-fangs (at 

 the front end of the body), in the large 

 tropical spiders commonly known as 

 Mygale, and their allies. The venom 

 flows from an orifice near the end of 

 the fang of the chelicera. As is well 

 known, the poison of spiders has a 



marked action on their prey, which generally consists of insects 

 of various kinds, causing death or paralysis. Usually it seems 

 to have but slight effect on vertebrate animals. The bite of certain 

 species is reputed, however, to have serious consequences for 

 vertebrate animals, including human beings ; and these species 

 are mentioned below. Anyone specially interested in the venom 

 of spiders should consult the valuable works on this subject by 

 Van Hasseltf and Robert. % 



Fig. 2. 



Little Black European 

 Scorpion (Euscarpius 

 itaUcus, Herbst). Natural 

 size. After Simon. 



* i.e., between tbe part stung and the heart of the patient. 



t Tijdschr. Ent. 1896. 



X Beitrage zur Kenntniss der Giftapinnen, Stuttgart, 1901. 



