SCORPIONID.E, OR SCORPION TRIBE. 225 



761 . With the characters of the second family, SCORPIONID.E, 

 or the Scorpion tribe, we are much more familiar. It is espe- 

 cially distinguished from the preceding by its eight breathing- 

 pores ; but also by its long-jointed abdomen (the hinder part 

 forming what is commonly called the tail), terminated by a 

 venomous claw or sting. The abdomen is composed of twelve 

 segments ; six of which are broad, forming the posterior part of 

 the body, whilst the other six form the tail. Between the thorax 



and abdomen 

 there is no dis- 

 tinct division. 

 In these par- 

 ticulars, the 

 evident divi- 

 sion of the body 

 into segments, 

 the want of 

 separation be- 

 FIG. 447.-SCORPION. tween the tho- 



rax and abdo- 

 men, the multiplication of the respiratory sacs, as well as in 

 others, the Scorpionids3 show an evident approach towards the 

 Myriapoda. The Arachnida of this tribe inhabit the warm 

 countries of both hemispheres, living on the ground, hiding 

 themselves under stones or other bodies (generally in dark and 

 cool places), and sometimes taking up their abode in the interior 

 of houses. They run quickly, and curve the tail over the back. 

 They can turn it in all directions, and employ it as a weapon of 

 offence or of defence. Their usual food consists of Wood-lice and 

 various Ground- Insects, such as Carabi, Weevils, Orthoptera, &c. ; 

 these they seize with their pincer-like palpi, and then prick them 

 with their stings, so as to render them powerless before proceeding 

 to devour them. They are also particularly fond of the eggs of 

 Spiders and Insects. It is only in the larger species of Scorpion, 

 which are five or six inches long, and inhabitants of tropical 

 countries, that the poison is sufficiently powerful to do any 

 serious mischief to Man ; and although the effects of the sting 



