191 



CHAPTER XIV. 



REMEDY AGAINST POISONOUS BITES. — SCORPIONS. SPIDER 



BITES. 



T^HE effect of the scorpion's sting has been 

 much exaggerated, though no doubt it is 

 painful enough for a short time, but it seldom 

 produces any bad effect, except causing a 

 sort of a paralysis or numbness of the lower 

 jaw and tongue, and that may almost imme- 

 diately be removed by swallowing about a 

 wineglassful of any raw spirit, though most 

 likely the remedy would not have the same 

 effect upon a great consumer of that article. 

 The Indians think that there are two sorts 

 of scorpions, and call them " Alacran de la 

 casa," and "Alacran del monte;" or the 

 house-scorpion and forest-scorpion, but they 

 are the same ; and the apparent difference 

 is, that the forest scorpion is generally a 

 much larger and blacker animal, owing to 

 its attaining its full growth, and I believe 

 great age ; while the house-scorpion is gener- 

 ally killed before it gains much size. I must 

 say, however, there is a great deal of differ- 



