MOLE, CRICKET 203 



sting of a wasp or a bee, but his whole body was inflated, 

 and there only appeared a red spot on the places where 

 he had been stung. Some days after, however, the same 

 experiment was tried upon another dog, and even with 

 more aggravated cruelty ; yet the dog seemed no way 

 affected by the wounds, but howling a little when 

 he received them, continued alert and well after them ; and 

 soon after was set at liberty, without showing the smallest 

 symptoms of pain. So far was this poor creature from 

 being terrified at the experiment, that he left his own 

 master's house to come to that of the philosopher, where 

 he had received more plentiful entertainment. 



THE AMERICAN SCORPION 



Is yet smaller than the European, and of a more slender 

 form. The African Scorpion is the most formidable 

 species, the body alone measuring four inches in length, 

 and ten including the tail and claspers. The sting of this 

 species is very severe, sometimes proving fatal. The 

 poison is ejected through two small openings on each side 

 of the sting, The Scorpions are viviparous animals ; the 

 young are at first of a light colour, but grow darker by 

 age. 



THE MOLE CRICKET, 



Which is found in many parts of Europe as well as 

 England, is about two inches long, of a dull brown colour, 

 and very strange appearance. Its fore-claws have a great 

 resemblance to those of a Mole, being broad, flat, and 

 armed with claws: they serve also the same purpose, 

 enabling the animal to burrow with great expedition. 

 The female Mole Cricket forms under ground a nest about 

 the size of a hen's egg, in which she deposits her eggs to 

 the amount of about 150. The nest is secured by various 

 external fortifications, and watched by the mother with 

 great assiduity. These insects eat the roots of plants, and 

 often do great damage in gardens. 



