18(5 ON ANIMAL AND 



the East and West Indies, and of various parts 

 of Africa, and, next to the scorpion, is the most 

 venomous in the insect tribe ; inhabiting chiefly 

 the woods, where it is preyed upon by the dif- 

 ferent species of snakes. It is, however, to be 

 found sometimes under pieces of stone, or within 

 hollow pieces of wood, and even in houses; and 

 is said to be so common in particular districts, as 

 to oblige the inhabitants to have the feet of their 

 bedsteads placed in vessels of water, to prevent 

 their being annoyed during the night by these 

 offensive animals. 



Its colour varies from a reddish brown to a 

 livid yellow, tinged with red ; its body being 

 long, depressed, and consisting of numerous 

 transverse segments, on each side of which there 

 is a leg; so that there are as many legs on each 

 side as there are segments. 



Its length varies from jthree to six or eight 

 inches ; its legs terminating in one sharp hook 

 or nail of a shining black colour; all of which 

 are said to be venomous. But its most formida- 

 ble weapons, are two sharpened or hooked in- 

 struments, that are placed under the mouth ; at 

 the extremity of each of which, there is a small 

 opening, from which extends a tube for the poi- 

 sonous fluid to be conveyed into the wound 

 inflicted by its fangs. It has eight very small 

 eyes, four on each side of the head near the an- 

 tennae ; and the number of the segments of the 



