[ 497 ] 

 THE SCORPION TRIBE. 



The Scorpions have eight legs besides two claws, 

 hot unlike those of a crab situated on the fore-part 

 of the head that serve the purposes of hands. They 

 have also eight eyes, three of which are placed on 

 each side of the thorax, and two in the middle. 

 On the anterior part of the head they have two short 

 claw-like feelers; but no antennas. And on the 

 under side, between the breast and the abdomen, are 

 two instruments that have somewhat the resem- 

 blance of a comb. The tail is long, jointed, and 

 terminated by a sharp crooked sting, from whence 

 is emitted a pungent liquid, not dangerous, except 

 in the very hot climates. Scorpions may, however, 

 be considered as the most malignant and poisonous, 

 of all known insects. The poison is emitted through 

 three very small foramina or holes neaf the top of 

 the sting, one on each side of the tip, and the other 

 on the upper part. In California there is a spe- 

 cies, the Scorpio Americanus, which is eaten by the 

 inhabitants. 



These animals prey on worms and insects, and 

 frequently even on one another. The young are 

 produced from eggs, of which one female lays a 

 considerable number. After their appearance, these 

 seem to undergo no further change than perhaps 

 casting their skin from time to time, in the same 

 manner as the Spiders. 



vol. in, K k ■■ 



