60 PEDIPALPL SCORPIONS. 



pounce upon it or seize it in its flight. A species of this group, 

 the taren'tula (Lycosa) is very celebrated ; it derives its name 

 from being found near Tarentum, a city of Italy : it is common 

 in all the warm parts of Europe, and in the opinion of the people, 

 its poison produces death or serious consequences, which can 

 only be dissipated by having recourse to music and dancing. 

 But it is now known that the poison of this animal is not really 

 dangerous to any thing but the insects upon which it feeds. 



26. In the FAMILY OF PEDIPALPI, there are four or eight pul- 

 monary sacs, and the 

 palpi are very large 

 and terminated by pin- 

 cers or claws, called 

 cheli'cera (c). They 

 have no spinnerets. 



27. The SCORPIONS 

 Scorpio (Jig- 58) 

 belong to this family. 

 They may be at once 

 Fig. 58. SCORFION. recognised by the ab- 



domen, which is in 



form of a knotted tail, terminating in an arcuated, excessively 

 acute point or sting. They inhabit the hot countries of both 

 hemispheres, live on the ground, conceal themselves under stones 

 and other bodies, most commonly in ruins, dark and cool places, 

 and even in houses. They run with considerable swiftness, 

 curving their tail over the back. They can turn it in every direc- 

 tion, and can use it in attack and defence. With their pincers 

 they seize various insects, on which they feed, pierce them with 

 their sting by directing it forwards, and then pass their prey 

 through the cheli'ceras and jaws. The wound produced by the 

 sting of some species is followed by serious and alarming symp- 

 toms. The remedy employed is the volatile alkali, used both 

 internally and externally. 



ORDER OF ARACH'NIDA TRACHEA'RIA. 



28. The Arach'nidans of this order are not provided with pul- 

 monary sacs, but breathe by means of trach'eoe. The air pene- 

 trates into these canals through two very small stigmata, situated 

 at the lower part of the abdomen. They all seem to be without 

 a circulatory apparatus ; some of them have no eyes, and those 

 that possess them, never have more than two or four. 



26. How is the family of Pedipalpi characterized? 



27. How are scorpions recognised ? What are their habits ? 

 98. How are the tracheal Arach'nidans characterized 7 



