420 
ON THE OKRUB OF 
one another, and in confinement at least, they do not refrain 
from devouring their young. 
They have frequent combats with spiders and ants. The 
ants sometimes conquer; and when scorpions fear a de- 
feat, they are said to kill themselves with a stroke on the 
head with their sting. The ants then drag away the carcass 
in triumph. 
They are also said to kill themselves, when placed within 
a circle of burning coals. In this case they go round the 
inside of the coals for a minute, or so, and when no room 
for escape is discovered, self-murder is their resource. 
When olive-oil is poured upon their bodies, they soon 
perish. This result is produced by the oil closing up the 
pores through which they breathe. These are situated at 
the lower end of the belly, and are eight in number, four 
on each side. 
Mountebanks sometimes shew the gaping multitude that 
they can touch, and even eat scorpions ; but they take care 
beforehand, to tie the nippers at the extremity of the arms, 
as well as the extremity of the tail, containing the sting. 
The effect of the poison on the animal body, is thus described 
by DioscorideSjvii. 7: ^' The place which a scorpion has stung 
becomes inflamed and hard. It reddens by tension, and is 
painful at intervals ; one while chilly, and another while 
burning. The pain rises high, and rages, sometimes more, 
sometimes less. Sweating succeeds, attended by starting, 
and trembling. The extremities turn cold, the groin swells, 
the hairs stand on end, the visage grows pale, and there is 
a sensation of pricking over the skin, as if from needles." 
The symptoms enumerated by this author are not inva- 
riable. Symptoms occur in one case, w^hich are not to be 
found in another ; but whenever they are violent^ we will 
be at no loss to understand the meaning of the Apostle 
John, when, in Rev. ix. 5., he speaks of " the torment of 
a scorpion, when he striketh a man.'' 
