300 TROPICAL SPIDERS AND SCORPIONS 



himself. The sting of several South American scorpions produces 

 fever, numbness of the limbs, tumours on the tongue, weakness 

 of the sight, and other nervous symptoms, lasting 

 twenty-four or forty-eight hours ; but the African 

 scorpions seem to be still more formidable. Mr. 

 Swainson informs us that the only means of saving 

 the lives of our soldiers who were stung by those of 

 Egypt, was the amputation of the wounded limb ; 

 and Professor Ehrenberg, who, while making his 

 researches on the Natural History of the Red Sea, 

 was stung five times by the Androctonus quinque- 

 scorpion. striatus, and funestus, says he can well believe, 

 from the dreadful pains he suffered, that the 

 poison of these scorpions may become fatal to women and 

 children. 



A servant of Mr. Russegger's ("Travels in Nubia"), while 

 emptying a trunk, was stung in the breast by a large scorpion, 

 which had concealed itself among the linen. For hours the pain 

 was dreadful, shooting from time to time through the whole 

 nervous system, and almost depriving the patient of conscious- 

 ness. A cold perspiration covered his brow, and it was only after 

 the internal and external application of ammonia, one of the 

 chief remedies for sustaining the sinking flame of life, that he at 

 length felt some relief, though he had still to suffer for several 

 days from a strong fever. 



" The black, or rock scorpion," says Lieutenant Patterson, " is 

 nearly as venomous as any of the serpent tribe. A farmer who 

 resided at a place called the Paarle, near the Cape, was stung 

 by one in the foot, during my stay in the country, and died in a 

 few hours." 



The scorpions live mostly on the ground, in gloomy recesses, 

 and even in the nooks and corners of dwelling-houses, so that, 

 in countries where they are known to abound, it is necessary to 

 be very cautious in removing stones, pieces of w^ood, &c. Of a 

 ferocious cruel disposition, they are not only the foes of all 

 other animals, but carry on a war of extermination among 

 themselves, and are even said to kill and devour their own 

 progeny, without pity, as soon as they are born ; thus rendering 

 good service to the community at large. Maupertuis once in- 

 closed a hundred scorpions — a select and delightful party — in 



