156 



XATCRAL HISTORY. 



fc^^s*^ 



nder. In front is a part bearing the six pairs of appendages; one 

 pair short and terminating in a pincer, the second much the largest, and 



resembling somewhat the big claws of the lobster. 

 forceps and all, while the four remaining pairs are 

 adapted for walking. Behind this body comes the 

 long- cylindrical, many-jointed abdomen terminat- 

 ing in the sharp curved sting, which has given 

 these animals such an unenviable reputation. This 

 sting is tnl ailar, and near its extremity are the out- 

 lets of the poison-glands inside the tail. 



The scorpions are burrowing animals, excavat- 

 ing their holes in the earth of warm countries. 

 They are described as preying upon small animals, 

 which they seize in their large pincers. They then 

 hold the unfortunate victim above the body, and, 

 bending the tail above the back, inflict the fatal 

 blow. It is. however, probable that fruit or fleshy 

 plants furnish them with much of their food. The 

 poison has a peculiar physiological action on man. It affects the corpuscles 

 of the blood, causing them to unite in masses too large for passage through 



Fig. 138. — Scorpion {Buthxis). 



Fk;. 139. — Whip-scorpion (Thelyphonus) . 



the capillaries. The sting is rarely, if ever, fatal to human beings, but in 

 warm climates it may produce serious constitutional derangements. The 



