THE ROCK-SCORPION. 515 



Scorpions, the abdomen is divided into segments, the palpi are very large and foot-like, and 

 are furnished at their tips with claws like those of the Crustacea. The cephalo-thorax is broad, 

 semicircular, and very slightly separated from the abdomen. 



Of all the spider race, the Scorpions are most dreaded ; and justly so. These strange 

 beings are at once recognized by their large claws and the armed tail. This member is com- 

 posed of six joints, the last being modified into an arched point, very sharp, and communicat- 

 ing with two poison glands in the base of the joint. With this weapon the Scorpion wounds 

 its foes, striking smartly at them, and by the same movement driving some of the poison into 

 the wound. 



The effect of the poison varies much, according to the constitution of the person who 

 is stung, and the size and health of the Scorpion. Should the creature be a large one, the 

 sting is productive of serious consequences, and in some cases has been known to destroy life. 

 Generally, however, there is little danger to life, though the pain is most severe and the health 

 much injured for the time, the whole limb throbbing with shooting pangs, and the stomach 

 oppressed with overpowering nausea. The poison seems to be of an acrid nature ; and the 

 pain can be relieved by the application of alkaline remedies, such as liquid ammonia, tobacco 

 ashes, etc. Melted fat is also thought to do good service, and the nausea is relieved by small 

 doses of ipecacuanha. Some of the poison can mostly be brought to the surface by means of 

 pressing a tube, such as a tolerably large key or the barrel of a small pistol, upon the spot ; 

 and the duration, if not the severity of the pain, is thereby mitigated. The great KOCK- 

 SCOBPION of Africa is much dreaded by the natives, whose only idea of cure is to tie a 

 bandage firmly above the wound, and then make the patient lie down until the effects have 

 gone off. 



The Scorpions inhabit most warm countries, and everywhere are held in the greatest 

 detestation. All kinds of precautions must be taken to guard against a sudden wound, for 

 these creatures are very fond of warmth and afraid of light, and therefore crawl into houses, 

 and conceal themselves in the warmest and darkest spots that can be found. They get into 

 beds, creep under pillows, make their way into the toes of boots, crawl into clothes, hide 

 themselves under cushions, and are, withal, so plentiful, that no careful person thinks of 

 thrusting his hand under a pillow or his foot into a shoe without ascertaining that no 

 Scorpion has taken up its abode there. 



They are fierce and rapid creatures, perfectly aware of the terrible weapons with which 

 they are armed, and not unfrequently routing a foe only by the ferocity of their aspect. 

 When threatened or alarmed, the Scorpion curls its tail over its body, flourishes the venomed 

 weapon about in a most menacing style, and if it thinks that it cannot conveniently escape, it 

 takes up the offensive, and boldly rushes to the attack, its claws and tail ready for the assault. 



It is a rather remarkable fact, that the poison of the Scorpion gradually loses its effect 

 upon a human being, and that a man suffers less and less each time that he is stung. One bold 

 philosopher had the courage to follow out this principle to the furthest extent, and made 

 Scorpions sting him repeatedly until he had become poison-proof, and suffered but little 

 inconvenience beyond the transient pain of the puncture. 



The Scorpion, however repulsive in appearance and venomous in action, yet may excite 

 some admiration for its attachment to its young. While they are yet small and feeble, they 

 congregate upon the person of the mother, swarming over her back, her forceps, her limbs, 

 and even clinging to her tail, and exist in such numbers that they quite conceal the outline of 

 their parent. The little Scorpions remain upon the body of the mother until they are about a 

 month old, when they separate, and are able to shift for themselves. It will be remembered 

 that the young of several spiders behave in a similar manner. 



In all these creatures the tail is composed of the six last joints of the abdomen, and the 

 powerful limbs, with the lobster-like claws at the tips, are the modified palpi. The eyes of 

 the Scorpions differ in number, some species having twelve, others eight, and others only six ; 

 these last constitute the genus Scorpio. The lower surface of the Scorpions has two remark- 

 able appendages, called the combs, the number of teeth differing in the various species. In 

 the Rock-scorpion the teeth are thirteen in number, while in the red Scorpion there are never 



