540 ARACHNIDA ORDER SCORPIONIDEA, 



the cephalothorax. The abdomen is without limbs, and is most frequently 

 separated from the cephalothorax. The sexes are distinct, except in the 

 Tardigrada. Most of the animals comprising this class are carnivorous ; but 

 among the mites, many feed on vegetable, as well as on animal substances ; 

 and some species are parasitic, and often subcutaneous, giving rise to, 

 or accompanying various diseases, such as itch, mange, Plica Polonica, 

 dysentery, etc., in man and beast. The Arachnida may be classed in 

 three main divisions. 



ORDER I. SCORPIONIDEA (SCORPIONS). 



The scorpions are well known by their curved foot-jaws, cleft at the 

 end like the claws of a crab, which they much resemble ; and their long 

 jointed tail ending in a sharp and venomous sting. They are generally 

 of a black or yellow colour, and differ very much in shape and size, 

 some being small and slender, and not more than a couple of inches in 



Fig. 15. GALEODES ABABS, Koch. J Nat. size. 



length ; and others being much shorter and thicker in proportion, and 

 attaining to a length of 8 or 9 inches. They are not British, though 

 several small species are met with in the South of Europe. They are found 

 under stones, under the bark of trees, in holes in walls, etc., and are only 

 active at night. The effects of the sting differ very much in different species, 

 irrespective of size, as it appears. That of many species is probably not very 

 much more severe than the sting of the wasp ; but that of others is liable to 

 cause great pain and suffering, and sometimes death. Scorpions are vivipar- 

 ous, and the young are carried about by the mother on her back for some 

 time after birth. There is an old story, which has been recently revived, 

 that when a scorpion is surrounded by a ring of fire, it will sting itself to 

 death ; and the same result is said to ensue if a drop of irritating fluid, such 

 as whisky, is allowed to fall on its back. 



