

LECTURE IX. 117 



Linnaeus, are distinguished by their oblong body, 

 eight legs ; two large claspers or claws in front, 

 and long, jointed tail, furnished at the tip with a 

 crooked and very sharp-pointed sting, provided 

 with a poisonous fluid, which is injected into the 

 wound caused by the sting. The Common or 

 Italian Scorpion measures about three inches from 

 the head to the end of the tail, and is of a reddish- 

 brown colour. It is very common in the warm 

 parts of Europe, and though its sting causes pain- 

 ful symptoms yet it is rarely productive of any 

 real danger. But the Great African Scorpion, 

 with a body as large as a Crawfish, and measuring 

 eight or nine inches from the head to the tip 

 of the tail, is a far more dangerous animal, and its 

 sting is said to be often fatal. It is found in the 

 hotter regions of Africa. 



I shall only mention one or two more genera 

 of the Apterous or Wingless Insects. The genus 

 Arama or Spider has eight eyes, situated separate 

 from each other on the top of the head. The 

 mouth is armed with two strong fangs or holders, 

 the tips of which are each furnished with a small 

 hole or slit, through which is discharged a poi- 

 sonous fluid, sufficient to destroy or kill the mi- 



