CHAP. XIV. SOLPUGA. INSECTS. 255 



Solpuga spider*, which is common in Upper 

 Egypt, and which from its venemous qualities is 

 looked upon as a noxious reptile ; though some 

 think it of great use, from its enmity to scorpions, 

 which it is said to destroy. To its power of doing 

 so I can bear ample testimony, having witnessed 

 more than one contest between them, in which the 

 Solpuga was victorious ; though, when stung by its 

 adversary, it generally dies on the spot. But this 

 seldom happens, owing to the great quickness of 

 its movements ; and whenever the place in which 

 the contest takes place is sufficiently spacious, the 

 rapidity with which it runs round its adversary, and 

 seizes it by the head (when the sting of the scor- 

 pion can only reach the hard shelly head of the 

 Solpuga), always ensures its success. 



INSECTS. 

 SCARAB^US. 



The frequent occurrence of the Scaraba?us in 

 the sculptures, no less than the authority of nu- 

 merous ancient writers, shows the great conse- 

 quence attached by the Egyptians to this insect. 



** A great portion of Egypt," says Pliny t, " wor- 

 ships the Scarabaeus as one of the Gods of the 

 country ; a curious reason for which is given by 

 Apion, as an excuse for the religious rites of his 

 nation, — that in this insect there is some resem- 

 blance to the operations of the Sun." 



* The Solpuga araneoiclcs, Plin. viii. 29. xxii. 25. and xix. 4. 

 f Plin. XXX. c. 1 1. 



