474 ARTICULATA. Cowar. XU 
species ' attains to nearly the length of a foot, with cor- 
responding breadth; it is of a dark purple colour, ap- 
proaching black, with yellowish legs and anteunim, and 
in its whole aspect repulsive and frightful. Lb id trong 
and active, and evinces an cagor dixpoxilion bo fight 
when molested. The Scolopencdi are gifted by nature 
with a rigid coriaceous armour, which docs not yiold to 
common pressure, or even to a moderate blow; so that 
they often escape the moxt well-deserved und woll- 
directed attempts to destroy them, seeking refuge in 
retreats which effectually conceal them from sight. 
There is a smaller specien?, that frequenta dwelling. 
houses; it is about one quarter tho size of the preceding, 
and of a dirty olive colour, with palo ferruginous lop. 
It is this species that generally inflicts the wound, when 
persons complain of being bitten hy a seorpion; and ib 
has a mischievous propensity for insinuating ilwelf inte 
the folds of dress. he bite at first doen nob oceasion 
more suffering than would arise from the pencbralion of 
two coarsely-pointed necdles; but afler a little time the 
wound swells, becomes acutcly painful, and if il be over 
a bone or any other resisting part, tho sensation IW Ko 
intolerable as to produce fever. Tho agony subsides 
after a few hours’ duration. In some cases the bite ja 
unattended by any particular degree of annoyance, and 
in these instances it is to be supposed that the contents 
of the poison gland had become exhinsted hy previous 
efforts, since, if much tasked, the organ requires cont bo 
enable it to resume ith accustomed functions and to 
geercte a supply of venom, 
The Nish-insecl—Vhe chief inconveniences of a 
1 Scolopendra crassa, Temp. * Sooloprndra pedtinen, 
