SOME TROUBLESOME INVADERS 



361 



rooms, in closets, and other hiding places. The species 

 familiar to the writer and seen so much in Texas is a small 

 one usually about 2\ inches in length. The body, like 

 the bodies of all scorpions, is divided into two portions, 

 a rather large anterior portion, consisting of the head, 

 thorax, and front part of the abdomen, and a long slender 

 portion, usually denominated the 

 "tail," which is really the five 

 posterior segments of the abdomen. 

 The "tail" is armed at the end with 

 a sting. Within the sting is a poison 

 gland that opens through a duct just 

 behind the tip of the sharp spine 

 with which the sting terminates. 

 On the thorax are four pairs of long- 

 legs and a large pair of long pincer- 

 like organs resembling those of the 

 cray-fish and lobster (Fig. 125). 



The scorpions are nocturnal ani- 

 mals, for they remain quietly hidden 

 during the day, coming out at night 

 for their principal activities. They 

 have the curious habit of carrying the tail-like portion 

 of the abdomen bent upwards over the back. The 

 scorpions feed upon spiders and insects, which they seize 

 with their pincer-like organs. 



The sting of the scorpion. — The sting of the scorpion 

 is primarily a weapon for paralyzing its prey, although 

 it is used when needed as a weapon of defense. It has 

 been the experience of the writer that they never sting 

 unless disturbed, but under provocation they can sting 

 quite effectively. 



Fig. 125. — A scorpion. 

 (Xf.) 



