133 
f their nests upon the roofs of houses, and in the holes 
of the walls. 
There are few insects at Mecca; but I saw a very 
large scorpion in the great court of the temple, which 
! walked with its tail bent over upon its back. It was of 
a sallow colour, and a very fine one. They killed it with 
: stones; and it appeared to me to be about six inches in 
\ length, when its tail was extended. 
I never saw any mice so bold as those of Mecca. As 
I had my bed upon the floor, they danced and leapt 
upon me every night. I gave them some blows, which 
made them fly; and I looked upon the matter with in- 
difference; but one night, having applied some balm of 
juniper to one of my servants, and having neglected to 
wash my hands, although I had wiped them very dry, 
the smell of it attracted the mice, who bit me twice 
upon one of my fingers of the right hand whilst I was 
sound asleep, which made me awake in a fright. At 
first I thought I had been bitten by some venomous 
animal, and immediately cut out the part that had been 
bitten, and applied volatile alkali; but I was assured af- 
terwards that it was but a mouse. I suspended my bed; 
but these little animals leapt upon the nearest furniture. 
One succeeded in finding me out, and came to visit 
me, placing itself very quietly upon the coverlid. It 
stared me in the face whilst I spoke to it, but would 
not permit me to touch it. In short, there exists no 
other difference than this between the European domes- 
tic mouse and those of this country. 
I perceived but very few gnats. There are, however, 
a great many common flies. Bugs and fleas are scarce; 
but I was sure to catch some other vermin, on those 
days when there were great assemblages at the temple. 
I look upon the number of cushions and carpets, 
