THE ROCK-SCORPION. 



68 r 



be brought to the surface by means of pressing a tube, such as a tolerably large key or 

 the barrel of a small pistol, upon the spot, and the duration, if not the severity of the 

 pain, is thereby mitigated. The great ROCK-SCORPION of Africa is much dreaded by the 

 natives, whose only idea of cure is to tie a bandage firmly above the wound, and then 

 make the patient lie down until the effects have gone off. 



The Scorpions inhabit most warm countries, and everywhere are held in the greatest 

 detestation. All kinds of precautions must be taken to guard against a sudden wound, 

 for these creatures are very fond of warmth and afraid of light, and therefore crawl 

 into houses, and conceal themselves in the warmest and darkest spots that can be 

 found. They get into beds, creep under pillows, make their ways into the toes of boots, 

 crawl into clothes, hide themselves under cushions, and are, withal, so plentiful that no 

 careful person thinks of thrusting his hand under a pillow or his foot into a shoe with- 

 out ascertaining that no Scorpion has taken up its abode there. 



ROCK-SCORPION. -fiirffius afer. 



They are fierce and rapid creatures, perfectly aware of the terrible weapons with 

 which they are armed, and not unfrequently routing a foe only by the ferocity of their 

 aspect. When threatened or alarmed, the Scorpion curls its tail over its body, flourishes 

 the venomed weapon about in a most menacing style, and if it thinks that it cannot 

 conveniently escape, it takes up the offensive, and boldly rushes to the attack, its claws 

 and tail ready for the assault. 



It is a rather remarkable fact, that the poison of the Scorpion gradually loses its 

 effect upon a human being, and that a man suffers less and less each time that he is 

 stung. One bold philosopher had the courage to follow out this principle to the 

 furthest extent, and made Scorpions sting him repeatedly until he had become poison 

 proof, and suffered but little inconvenience beyond the transient pain of the puncture. 



The Scorpion, however repulsive in appearance and venomous in action, yet may 

 excite some admiration for its attachment to its young. While they are yet small and 

 feeble, they congregate upon the person of the mother, swarming over her back, her 

 forceps, her limbs, and even clinging to her tail, and exist in such numbers that they 

 quite conceal the outline of their parent. The little Scorpions remain upon the body of 



