COMMON BLACK-CLAWED CRAB. 297 



that the persons who pretend to have been bitten, adopt 

 this as a mode of obtaining money. 



23,. SCORPION TRIBE. 



In their general form these animals somewhat resemble 

 lobsters or crawfish. At the extremity of their tail they 

 have a sting, by which they are able to inflict a very un- 

 pleasant and painful wound. 



Common Scorpion. In several of the southern parts of 

 Europe, these Scorpions are great pests to mankind. They 

 conceal themselves in old buildings, and in dry and de- 

 cayed walls. When any person approaches them they erect 

 their tails, and have their sting in perfect readiness to 

 strike. In some of the countries of the East they grow to 

 such a size, as to be nearly as large as a small lobster ; and 

 it is said, that there is no removing of a piece of furniture, 

 without danger of being stung by them. The poison 

 passes through three small holes in the sting, one on each 

 side of the tip, and the other at the upper part of it. 



Scorpions prey chiefly on worms and insects, and are 

 produced from eggs. They are supposed to change their 

 skins in a manner somewhat similar to the spider. 



24. CRAB TRIBE. 



This tribe includes the Crabs, Lobsters, and Crawfish. 

 They are inhabitants chiefly of the sea; but some of them 

 are found in fresh waters, and a few in hot climates, on 

 land. 



Common or Black-clawed Crab. This is the kind of 



o 5 



