18 



fare be put into spirits as soon as taken: this, 

 indeed, is the best method of preserving them. 



CLASS 3. ARACHNOIDA. 



THE ArachnoTda are divided into two Orders. 



Order 1. POLYMEROSOMATA. Body composed 

 of a series of segments ; abdomen not peduncu- 

 lated ; mouth furnished with didactyle mandi- 

 bles and maxillae; eyes two, four, six or eight. 

 [PI. I, fig. 5.] 



The scorpion, of which there are many spe- 

 cies, is the principal type of this order ; some 

 of the species of tropical climes are, in all 

 probability, venomous, and will have a more de- 

 leterious effect upon some constitutions than 

 others : the poison is emitted through the hook 

 which terminates the tail ; some little care is, 

 therefore, requisite in capturing them, and they 

 should be immediately put into spirits, which 

 will soon kill them. In a state of nature they 

 lurk beneath stones, moss, and the detached 

 bark of trees: we arc yet but little acquainted 

 with their natural history. After being killed in 

 spirits they may be pierced with a pin, and 

 placed in cork boxes as described for insects ; 

 taking care, at the same time, that they are suf- 

 ficiently attached to the pin: -it is, however, 



