ARACHN01DEA. 587 



at the inferior part of body behind the coxa of the fourth pair of 

 feet. 



Scorpio L. (Characters of the family). Ocelli two in the 

 middle of cephalothorax, approximate, larger. Lateral ocelli in 

 the anterior margin of cephalothorax, number various. 



The scorpions live in warm regions of the temperate zone and in 

 tropical countries. In the last joint of the abdomen is a poison- 

 gland, which renders the wound of the scorpion dangerous, (see REDI 

 De Generat. Insector. Amstelod. 1686, pp. 84 91 ; DE MAUPER- 

 TUIS Experiences sur les Scorpions, Mem. de VAcad. de Paris, 

 pour 1731, p. 223). Moreover these animals are distinguished by 

 two comb-shaped appendages at the base of the abdomen. These 

 appendages consist of a flat pedicle that runs transversely outwards 

 and becomes thinner towards its apex ; this on its inferior margin 

 bears parallel lancet-shaped leaflets (teeth), standing perpendicular 

 to its axis. The number of these teeth differs in different species, 

 yet is not sufficiently determinate but subject to change, so that it 

 it is an uncertain character for the distinction of species. 



Comp. on the divisions and the species of this numerous family, LEACH 

 Trans, of the Linn. Soc. xi. p. 391; HEMPKICH and EHRENBERG Syrrib. 

 physic., Evertebr. I. Arachnoidea, Berolini, folio 1828, cum tabulis 2; P. 

 GERVAIS Remarques sur la famille des Scorpions, Archives du Museum, 

 Tom. IV. 1845, PP- 2O1 2 4- PI- XI - xn - O n * ne number of the eyes alone 

 no natural groups or sub-genera can be founded. The habitus, the greater 

 or less breadth of the six last abdominal rings, and the form of the forceps, 

 indicate better sub- divisions, or ought at least to be conjoined with the 

 character from the eyes. 



Androctonus EHRENB. With twelve ocelli, five lateral on each 

 side. Centrums EHRENB. With ten ocelli, four lateral on each 

 side. Buthus LEACH, EHRENB. With eight ocelli, three lateral on 

 each side. Scorpio LEACH, Scorpius EHRENB. With six ocelli, two 

 lateral on each side. 



Note. Sub-genus Buthus, far from natural, ought to be distributed into 

 other sub-genera, after the example of EHRENBERG and KOCH; comp. 

 GERVAIS 1. L, who admits three sub-genera Ischnurus, Buthus and Telegonus. 



Sp. Scorpio europceus, Scorpio flavicaudus, DE GEER Mem. vn. PI. 40, figs. 

 ii 13, SCH^FFER Elem. Entom. Tab. 113, Cuv. R. Anim. ed. ill., Arachn. 

 PI. 19, fig. 2, hab. south of Europe and north of Africa; Scorpio afer L., 

 K<ESEL Ins. in. Tab. 65, KOCH Arachniden, ill. Tab. 79, &c. 



