LECTURE IX. 
117 
Linnteus, are distinguished by their oblong body, 
eight legs; two large claspers or claws in front, 
and long, jointed tail, furnished at the tip with a 
crooked and very sharp-pointed sting, provided 
with a poisonous fluid, which is injected into the 
wound caused by the sting. The Common or 
Italian Scorpion measures about three inches from 
the head to the end of the tail, and is of a reddish- 
brown colour. It is very common in the warm 
parts of Europe, and though its sting causes pain- 
ful symptoms yet it is rarely productive of any 
real danger. But the Great African Scorpion, 
with a body as large as a Crawfish, and measuring 
eight or nine inches from the head to the tip 
of the tail, is a far more dangerous animal, and its 
sting is said to be often fatal. It is found in the 
hotter regions of Africa. 
I shall only mention one or two more genera 
of the Apterous or Wingless Insects. The genus 
Aranea or Spider has eight eyes, situated separate 
from each other on the top of the head. The 
mouth is armed with two strong fangs or holders, 
the tips of which are each furnished with a small 
hole or slit, through which is discharged a poi- 
sonous fluid, sufficient to destroy or kill the mi- 
