FROM THE CIMMERIAN BOSPORUS, 
pestilence'. We collected almost all theinsectsol’ 
the Crimea ; among these are some of the locust 
kind which are destitute of wings ; and there 
are others which differ only in trifling distinc- 
tions, that are more interesting to the entomo- 
logist than to the general reader. But other 
insects, infesting the Peninsula, require more 
particular notice, from the danger to which they 
expose an unsuspecting traveller. These are ot 
three kinds : the two first, from their external 
appearance, seem to be spiders ; but, according 
to naturalists, one alone belongs to the genus 
yiranea, namely, the large black tarantula, 
known in many parts of the South of Italy, and 
long famous in giving its name to a dance which 
is said to afford a remedy for its bite, otherwise 
fatal. This animal attains a fearful size in the 
Crimea. We caught one with a pair of tongs : 
when it was extended in a natural posture, 
upon a table, it embraced by its claws a cir- 
cumference whose diameter equalled nearly 
three inches (l) 2 . The other, although smaller, 
is much more formidable.' Professor Pallas 
named it Phalangium Araneo'ides. It is of a 
yellowish colour; looking like a large spider, 
(l) Those who have not seen the locust, will find it faithfully 
represented in the Vignette to the Filth Chapter. 
(2) See also the Vignette to Chap. V. 
