474 
ARTICULATA. 
[Chap. XITL 
species 1 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 antennae, and 
in its whole aspect repulsive and frightful. It is strong 
and active, and evinces an eager disposition to fight 
when molested. The Scolopendrce are gifted by nature 
with a rigid coriaceous armour, which does not yield to 
common pressure, or even to a moderate blow ; so that 
they often escape the most well-deserved and well- 
directed attempts to destroy them, seeking refuge in 
retreats which effectually conceal them from sight. 
There is a smaller species 2 , that frequents dwelling- 
houses ; it is about one quarter the size of the preceding, 
and of a dirty olive colour, with pale ferruginous legs. 
It is this species that generally inflicts the wound, when 
persons complain of being bitten by a scorpion ; and it 
has a mischievous propensity for insinuating itself into 
the folds of dress. The bite at first does not occasion 
more suffering than would arise from the penetration of 
two coarsely-pointed needles ; but after a little time the 
wound swells, becomes acutely painful, and if it be over 
a bone or any other resisting part, the sensation is so 
intolerable as to produce fever. The agony subsides 
after a few hours' duration. In some cases the bite is 
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 exhausted by previous 
efforts, since, if much tasked, the organ requires rest to 
enable it to resume its accustomed functions and to 
secrete a supply of venom. 
The Fish-insect. — The chief inconvenience of a 
3 Scolojpendra crassa, Temp. 2 Scolopendra pallipes. 
