BOOK III. CHAP. VIII. 877 



NOXIOUS ANIMALS, or fu.ch as are commonly fo reputed. 



315. Scorpion. 



It is but of a fmnll fizein this ifland; and the fting not fo veno- 

 mous as is reprefented in the countries of the South-American 

 continent, where it is found of much greater bulk. A fcorpion 

 was irritated to fting a young cock on the fide of the head feveral 

 times fucceflively ; but no efFe£t was perceived to arife from it, not 

 even to the exciting a fwelling. Their venom is mortal to them- 

 ielves here, as in other parts of the world where they arc found ; ; 

 and it is probably more virulent at fome feafons of the year than 

 at others. 



316. Red-tailed Spider. 



It is of a glofl'y jet-black all over, except the tail, which glows 

 with a vivid red. It is extremely fluggifh and averfe to motion, 

 even when difturbed. It inhabits chiefly in holes of old walls, or 

 decayed timber. A young, robuft Negroe man happening to bo 

 flung by one, the venom irritated his nerves fo much, as to throw 

 him into convuUions, which were of no long continuance: upon ■ 

 being blooded and chafed, thefe fymptoms left him ; and he felt 

 no further bad effe6l: The pindals-nut, bruifed and applied as a 

 poultice to the ftung part, is efteemed an antidote to the venom of : 

 both thefe infers ; but any other refolutive oil or oily, fubftance ap- 

 plied warm is equally efficacious, 



317. Tarantula.- 



' I have heard of two fpecles of this fpider ; but I am doubtful ' 

 whether they were not, in fad, the male and female of the fame 

 fpecies. I'never had the opportunity of feeing any. . Their qua- - 

 lities feem not to be- known as yet with any degree of certainty, 

 as they are very rarely to be met with. Browne fays, the nip of 

 tile larger fpecies is- very painful for many hours ; that it lometimes 

 caTifesa fever and deliriums, whidi ar£ relievable with a draught • 

 of warm punch, to force a fweat ; and that the Negroes, ,who. are 

 moft fubjed- to fueh accidents, are - recovered in a few hours by 

 ufing, this fimple. remedy, . 



318. CfiNTirEa, , 



