SCORPIONS. 
73 
They are quite common in Jamaica and are 
more frequently found out of doors under 
stones or bits of wood. Occasionally they 
maybe tound indoors in rooms that have 
been little used, concealed under some box or 
in an out-of-the-way corner. 
The scorpion possesses six or eight eyes, 
eight legs, strong nipping claws, and a very 
long tail ; the scorpion sometimes attains a 
length of from five to six inches ; it can run 
with considerable swiftness, curving the tail 
over its back. At the end of the tail is the 
sting. The female is very attentive to her 
young, carrying them on her back. The 
scorpion’s food consists principally of insects 
which are caught by and held in the claws 
until stung to death. 
Perhaps more renowned than, though by 
no means so familiar as, the scorpion itself is 
its sting — though painful it is not at all 
dangerous. Ammonia, camphorated rum and 
antidote cacoon (the seed of a local plant) are 
used as remedies. With a little dexterity 
(found chiefly among school boys) the end of 
the tail may be held without risk of a sting. 
Scorpions running away will often come to 
a sudden standstill if strongly blown upon and 
are occasionally caught in this manner. This 
c< air brake” does not, however, always work. 
In obedience to a local superstition the 
native who kills a scorpion smears one of his 
fingers in the remains and makes a cross on 
his forehead ; this, it is believed, will ensure 
his always seeing an unfriendly disposed 
scorpion in time to prevent his being stung. 
