474 



AETICULATA. 



[Chap. XIII. 



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 



1 Scolojpendra crassa. Temp. 2 Scolopendra pallipes. 



