THE SCORFIOJfy 
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Genus VI. — Pcmorpa. Phc Scorpion , 
Formerly there was only one fpecies of thefe animals} 
known, till Linnaeus difeovered four different kinds, 
which he has enumerated in the lateft editions of his 
fyftem of nature. They are all diftinguilhed by a cylin- 
drical probofeis, of an horny tranfparent fubftance ; by two 
palpi, and three {lemmata above the head. The tail of 
the male fex is furniihed with a weapon refembling the 
dart of a fcorpion ; a circuniftance from which almofl. all 
paturalifts have given it that name f. 
The formidable inftrument with which the tail of the 
male fcorpion is armed, is not formed for any hoftile 
purpofe ; it is ufed by him in laying hold of his female 
during their amorous embraces. 
There are varieties of the common fcorpion ; that rnoft 
frequent is of a dark brown, and yellow upon the fides. 
The tail is formed by the three laft fegments of the ab- 
domen, and is of a maroon colour ; the wings, which are 
as long as the body, are diaphanous, and reticulated, 
With fibres and ftreaks of a brown colour. There are 
fome 
j Vide Aldrov. Mouffet, p. 63 ft Frifdi, p. 35, 
