SCORPIONS, TARANTULAS, &C. 407 
unfrequently, under your pillow, and in your 
boots, bed, drawers, and such like localities. 
18. — Added to these, there is a small and 
very venomous Viper, about ten inches long, 
often found in and about houses. 
Several varieties of these seventeen species 
have been met with, but no more of a distinct 
class ; and, indeed, when the experimental ac- 
quaintance of these is considered, together with 
the many unpleasant encounters persons in 
Africa have to be subjected to, it will readily 
be believed that these are considered quite an 
adequacy. 
Added to which, the supplementary army of 
Scorpions, Tarantulas, Spiders, Hornets, Li- 
zards, and others of smaller tribes, which also 
appear around, are, of themselves, quite ample 
to engage the attention and curiosity of the 
most insatiable naturalist. Amongst these lat- 
ter too, deadly feuds and warfare are not only 
waged against their common enemy, mankind, 
but also among themselves. 
We remember once watching, with great cu- 
riosity, three battles of this kind. The first of 
these, was between a large red Scorpion and a 
huge Tarantula. They engaged in mortal com- 
bat. The former using its poisonous sting, and 
the latter its fangs and breath ; it lasted seve- 
ral minutes, both whirling round and round as 
