460 PROF. E. RA.Y LANKESTER ON 



been seen to cause a penetration and laceration of the cephalic 

 shield, followed by the death of the Scorpion*. 



II. Obseevatioks on EuscoEPiirs. 



For repeated sendings of a large number of Italian Scorpions 

 belonging to the species E. italicus, E. carpathicus, and E.Jla- 

 vicaudus, I am indebted to the great kindness and energy of 

 Mr. Gribson-Carmichael. 



Carriage and General Habits. — It is worthy of remark that these 

 small Italian Scorpions (all very closely allied, if, indeed, really 

 distinct, species) are much flatter in the body than Androctonus 

 funestus, and that the body is not raised on the legs in walking 

 as in the latter species, but lies close to the ground, the legs 

 being extended on either side. Concurrently with this habit, 

 we find that these Scorpions are more given to pushing them- 

 selves under stones and into crevices than is A. funestus, and 

 apparently do not make burrows for themselves. The tail is 

 rarely if ever raised over the back as in Androctonus funestus ; 

 it is dragged behind with the slightest upward curvature only, 

 or a curvature to the right or left. Only under great provo- 

 cation are blows delivered by the sting if the animal be handled, 

 and these are usually ineffective. 



Prequently I have found them under stones in the cage in 

 which I kept them, with the ventral surface turned uppermost. 

 In fact this position is more usual than the reverse. I am at a 

 loss to explain the significance of this attitude, unless it be that 

 my specimens were under observation during the spring (March, 

 April, May), and that at this time copulation takes place, when, 

 as has been observed by others, and as is necessary from the 

 position of the copulatory organs, the one sex receives the other 

 in the position described, viz. with the ventral surface turned 

 upwards. 



Fighting. — A large number of these Scorpions being placed 

 together in a glass box, some came into conflict one with another. 

 In such conflicts the large chaise were used, the one seizing with 

 these organs the corresponding organs of the other. But the 

 sting was never brought into use in these contests. 



Capture of Frey. — These small Scorpions feed readily on the 



* In any attempt to test the accuracy of the statements made as to suicide by 

 Scorpions, it is of great importance to distinguish the species observed. The 

 Spanish Scorpion, concerning which the tradition exists, is an Androctomos {A. 

 occitanus) allied to A. funestus. 



