48 
NATURE NOTES. 
They are about three-quarters of an inch in length ; have 
three pairs of legs, the hindmost of which is provided with a 
claw, but of this there is not sufficient evidence. The males 
and females are at a certain stage in their life provided with 
wings. 
The natives have a common belief that the “ black scorpion ” 
is the king of this species of ant. A farmer of the name of 
Ghebba stated the fact to Mr. Barlow, and said that he could 
prove it to him. One day he called Mr. Barlow into his field, 
and pointed out to him a hole in the ground in which he said 
there was a nest of these black ants. The hole happened to be 
near his irrigation mill, so he proceeded to pour water down the 
hole in large quantities, when the ants began to swarm to the 
surface in great numbers. “ But where,” said Mr. Barlow, “is 
the ‘ black scorpion ’ ? ” “You will soon see, sir,” he replied, and 
continuing to deluge the hole with water, more ants emerged, 
and finally a “ black scorpion,” in a half drowned state, which 
the farmer lifted between two sticks and gave to Mr. Barlow. 
When the water had cleared away Mr. Barlow put the scorpion 
on the ground, and, to his amazement, all the ants that were 
scattered here and there made at once for the “ black scorpion,” 
and assembled round it, evincing, as Mr. Barlow said, evident 
signs of satisfaction. 
Here, then, was a proof, to him, at all events, that the ants 
had clearly indicated that they looked upon the “ black scorpion ” 
as playing an important part in their social economy, but 
whether in a kingly office, or only kept by them to kill insects 
for their little republic, it is impossible to conjecture. Sir John 
Lubbock rather favours, I believe, the view that certain species 
of ants have not only “ slaves ” but “ pets,” and here would 
certainly appear to be some confirmation of his theory. 
In the district where this occurred, there was living at the 
time a scorpion-charmer named Jamal Shah, who had the repu- 
tation of being able to allow any scorpion to sting him without 
his suffering physical pain. Mr. Barlow sent for him, and 
showing him the “ black scorpion,” which by this time had 
regained its natural activity, said, “ Now, Jamal Shah, let 
this ‘black scorpion’ sting you, and I will believe in your 
powers ; ” but when he was told that the scorpion had been 
taken from a black ants’ nest, he declined, saying that he had no 
spell against the sting of that particular kind, but any “ black 
scorpion ” taken from under rocks or stones he was proof against. 
It is quite understood amongst the natives of India that, after 
a time, those stung by certain scorpions become in a measure 
insensible to their poison. 
That there is some difference in this type of “ black scorpion ” 
is also evident from the fact that a class of native doctors, 
who prepare a special ointment from the Arachtida, invariably 
prefer those obtained from black ants’ nests, as affording a more 
