THE ANCIENT HEBREWj^. 
419 
particulars, it resembles the spider, and therefore, with per- 
fect propriety, it has been placed by Lamarck among the 
arachnides, or spider-like animals. 
Scorpions vary in colour. They are brown, or iron- 
coloured ; grey or ash -coloured. They are white or black, 
green or yellow. Those that are black and yellow are 
said to be most poisonous. 
They vary also in length, being commonly from 1 to 6 
inches long. Some may be longer in warm climates ; but 
we can give little credit to those who assert, that in warm 
climates some are a foot, and even others a yard long. 
We do not know whether the number of species has been 
ascertained ; but about one species with wings, talked of by 
the ancients, and even not unnoticed by the moderns, we 
are somewhat sceptical. We even presume to say, that all 
scorpions are aptera, or creatures destitute of wings. 
The female spins a web, in which she lays her eggs. 
These are not fewer than 26, and seldom more than 40. 
They are about the largeness of pin points, and contained in 
the bag, which the mother carries about with her, till they 
are hatched. When this process is over, the young ones 
get upon her back, and she covers them with her tail, and 
defends them with her sting. 
Those who are ignorant of the natural history of this 
animal are puzzled what to think of such small creatures. 
Accordingly, some have mistaken them for ants, and of 
course given out, that the scorpion was pestered with these 
insects. 
Scorpions hate the hght, and court concealment. They 
delight in stony grounds, and in old ruins, and even in 
dwelling-houses. When they come iiito these, they lurk 
behind chests, benches or beds. In general they creep to all 
places in which they can find a cover or a defence. 
They are carnivorous, or devour flesh. Their ordinary 
food is flies and small insects. They sometimes also devour 
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