380 THE SCORPIO N. 



doubtless vary according to climate, strength, and 

 age, though the sting of the most innocent is allowed 

 to be excruciating ; but rubbing the part with iron, or 

 stone, yvill remove the pain. If they are injurious to 

 mankind, they are no less destructive to each other ; 

 a circumstance which Providence has wisely ordained, 

 or a numerous race of animals, so completely malig- 

 nant, would occasion a constant alarm and apprehen- 

 sion of mind. 



As their form bears some analogy to the lobster's, so 

 it resembles that creature in casting its shell, though 

 skin is a more applicable term for the scorpion's cover- 

 ing, as it is by no means callous, and is spread over 

 with hairs. The scorpion's chief food is worms and in- 

 sects ; and it is supposed to live about seven or eight 

 years. The female brings forth her young alive, though 

 there is a species in America which is produced from 

 eggs. 



THE SCOLOPENDRA. 



The scolopendra, otherwise called the centipes, from 

 the number of its feet, is very common in many parts of 

 the world, but particularly so between the tropics, and 

 in the cast. The skin of these insects is of a ruddy co- 

 lour, their bodies about as thick as a man's finger, con- 

 sisting of a number of joints, and generally measure from 

 five to six inches in length: they are entirely covered 

 with short hair, and do not appear to have any eyes; a 

 pair of feelers issue from the head, and they are capable 

 of giving a very dangerous wound, from two small 

 pointed teeth, which has been cured by roasted onions 

 •being frequently applied. Of this animal there arc three 

 different kinds ; some living, like worms, in holes of the 

 earth, and others under stones, or wood that is decayed. 



