ON ARACHNIDA. 
491 
of the scorpion called agrab in Persian, gargonali in Hindos- 
tanee, and australis by Linnaeus, which in different parts of 
Asia is almost as common as the spider. 
On this subject, therefore, we may refer to that part of our 
work which treats of the serpent tribe. Olivier informs us, 
that the sting of the scorpion, which he terms crassicauda , 
and which is very common in the Levant, is never dangerous 
to life, and that the effects of its poison are easily dissipated 
by analogous remedies. 
According to the observations of M. Maccary, the scorpions 
couple very nearly in the manner of crabs. The female changes 
her skin before she brings forth the young, and the male does 
the like at the same epoch. The species indigenous to Europe 
produce two generations every year. M. Dufour has found in 
summer some females whose eggs were at their full growth, 
and others in autumn with but very small germs, the perfect 
development of which would not take place until the follow- 
ing spring. These facts, and those ascertained by Dr. Mac- 
cary, seem to establish that there are in fact two generations, 
one in this last season, and the other in summer. The female 
brings forth the young one by one. She carries them on her 
back during the first days, never issues then from her retreat, 
and watches over their preservation for the space of about a 
month, a period, at the end of which they become strong- 
enough to establish themselves elsewhere, and provide for 
their subsistence. They are not in a state to reproduce their 
species until the end of two years. 
It has been asserted that the scorpion, when enclosed in a 
circle of lighted coals, and when it finds that it is impossible 
to escape from the action of the heat, will sting itself to death. 
Maupertuis, after some experiments, has combated this opinion. 
Other observations, however, are in its favour; and M. 
Latreille informs us, that Count de Senneville made several 
experiments on this subject, and in the presence of a great 
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