274 



Marvels of the Universe 



THE SCORPION AT HOME 



BY K. G. BLAIR, B.SC, F.E.S. . 



Scorpions are essentially tropical creatures, though a few species are found in the south of Europe. 

 They are nocturnal in their habits, hiding awaj' by day under stones, and, owing to their retiring 

 disposition, and the fear and disgust in which they are usually held, until recently very little was 

 known of the details of their life-histor}'. Of recent 3'ears, M. J. H. Fabre, an eminent French 

 naturahst, has investigated the habits of the larger of the two common European species, and to 

 the delightful account he has given us we are indebted for many of the following particulars. 



This Scorpion, known as the Scorpion of Languedoc, attains a length of about three and a half 

 inches, and is of a pale brownish-vellow colour. It inhabits dry hiUy regions almost devoid of vege- 

 tation by reason of constant exposure to a scorching sun, and is to be found'under the fiat stones 

 and slabs of rock that are scattered everywhere about. If a stone be turned over, a circular hole, 

 several inches deep, will be found, often with the Scorpion at the entrance, with claws extended 



and tail curled over his back, 

 read}' for all comers. On a hot 

 sunny day the Scorpion loves to 

 lie thus immediately beneath the 

 stone, heated right through by the 

 sun ; but on a cold or wet day it 

 retires into its burrow. 



The large pincer-claws are 

 used as weapons of attack and as 

 purveyors of food to the mouth ; 

 they are endowed with a very 

 delicate sense of touch, and when 

 the animal is walking are held 

 well forward, slightly spread, and 

 sway gently up and down ; for 

 though provided with four pairs 

 of eyes, these are all directed so 

 much sideways that the Scorpion 

 is not able to see straight in front 

 of it, and relies upon the delicate 

 perceptions of its claws for information as to where it is going. The tail, armed at the end with 

 the poison dart or sting, is usually carried curled forwards over the back, or when at rest curls 

 to one side of the body. 



When attacking its prey, the Scorpion approaches quietly and seizes it with its pincers ; if 

 the fl\' seized remains quiet, it is simply brought to the mouth and held there while devoured at 

 leisure, without the sting being brought into play at all ; but should it struggle violently the Scorpion, 

 which above all things dislikes a disturbance, curls the tail forward over the back, holds the sting 

 poised, as it were, for a second, then pricks the victim once or twice to keep it quiet. Though so 

 deliberate in all its movements, the Scorpion does not seem to care much how it holds the prey or 

 in what region of the body the dart pierces it. 



The effect of the sting varies very much according to the victim, and experiments were tried, by 

 inducing the Scorpion to attack different animals, to determine this effect. Spiders curled up 

 and died at once ; most insects, especiaUy those of more delicate organization, were at once 

 paralysed, while death followed more or less rapidlj' ; on the other hand, a large centipede survived 



Photo liti] 



[/'. //. Fnhre 



THE END OF THE MALE SCORPION. 



The lady Scorpion takes the government of the household into her o\vn hands 

 and has her husband served up for breakfast. 



