ON ARACHNIDA. 491 



of the scorpion called agrah in Persian, gargonali in Hindos- 

 tanee, and australis by Linnaeus, which in different parts of 

 Asia is almost as common as the spider. 



On this subject, therefore, we may refer to that part of our , 

 work which treats of the serpent tribe. Olivier informs us, 

 that the sting of the scorpion, which he tenns crassicauda, 

 and which is very common in the Levant, is never dangerous 

 to life, and that the effects of its poison are easily dissipated 

 by analogous remedies. 



According to the observations ofM. Maccary, the scorpions 

 couple very nearly in the manner of crabs. The female changes 

 her skin before she brings forth the young, and the male does 

 the like at the same epoch. The species indigenous to Europe 

 produce two generations every year. M. Dufour has found in 

 summer some females whose eggs were at their full growth, 

 and others in autumn with but very small germs, the perfect 

 development of which would not take place until the follow- 

 ing spring. These facts, and those ascertained by Dr. Mac- 

 cary, seem to establish that there are in fact two generations, 

 one in this last season, and the other in summer. The female 

 brings forth the young one by one. She carries them on her 

 back dm"ing the first days, never issues then from her retreat, 

 and watches over their preservation for the space of about a 

 month, a period, at the end of which they become strong 

 enough to establish themselves elsewhere, and provide for 

 their subsistence. They are not in a state to reproduce their 

 species until the end of two years. 



It has been asserted that the scorpion, when enclosed in a 

 circle of lighted coals, and when it finds that it is impossible 

 to escape from the action of the heat, will sting itself to death. 

 Maupertuis, after some experiments, has combated this opinion. 

 Other observations, however, are in its favour; and M. 

 Latreille informs us, that Count de Senneville made several 

 experiments on this subject, and in the presence of a great 



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