8 



Arachnida and Myriopoda 



ill effects, being scarcely worse than that of a bee. The sting of 

 the yellow European scorpion (Buthus occitamis, Amor.) is very 

 painful, and may cause vomiting, faintness, muscular cramp, etc. 

 Scorpion stings are rarely fatal to adults, but young children 

 frequently succumb to their effects. Deaths due to scorpions have 

 been reported from North and South Africa, West Indies, Mexico, 

 etc. In the Mexican States of Durango and Guerrero many 

 children under six years of age die after being stung by scorpions. 



Fig. 1. 



The Yellow European Scorpion (Buthus occitamis, Amor.). 



On account of the number of fatal cases in the City of Durango, 

 the authorities offered a reward for the tails of scorpions killed in 

 that city. It is probable that the effects of the poison of different 

 species differ considerably in virulence, but very little is known 

 on this point. The largest species of scorpions occur in tropical 

 Africa and Asia. The sting of a scorpion usually causes intense 

 local pain, which gradually diminishes in intensity ; in bad cases 

 various general symptoms are also present, such as muscular 



