306 ARTICULATA. ARACHNIDA. 



the use of which is unknown. The body terminates 

 in a long knotted tail, the last joint of which is armed 

 with a hooked, poisoned sting, exceedingly sharp. 

 Wounds inflicted with this weapon by the large 

 species of hot climates, are attended with serious 

 and alarming symptoms even to man, but are not 

 often fatal. 



They usually lurk under stones, in ruined build- 

 ings, caves, &c. ; but run with swiftness, with the tail 

 curved over the back, and the pincers extended in a 

 threatening attitude. With their stout pincers they 

 catch large Beetles, Locusts, &c., which they sting by 

 bringing the tail forwards, and thus kill, preparatory 

 to devouring them. These insidious and venomous 

 creatures are in the Holy Scriptures used as types or 

 emblems of malignant Spirits : a notion prevalent 

 also in other countries and ages. 



