04 - 
STRANGE DWELLINGS. 
CHAPTER VI. 
BURROWING SPIDERS . 
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The Scorpion and its habits — The burrow of the Scorpion — How detected — 
Suicide among the Scorpions — Spiders and their burrows — The Atypus — 
The Tarantula — Its ferocity and courage — The Trap-door Spider — Its 
tunnel and the lining thereof — Its appearance under the microscope — The 
‘Trap-door’ itself, and its structure — Curious example of instinct — Activity 
of the Spider — Strength and obstinacy of the Trap-door Spider — An Austra- || 
lian Trap-door Spider. 
Among the burrowers belonging to this order may be reckoned 
the well-known Scorpion, of which there are several species, 
resembling each other in their general appearance, their struc- 
ture and their habits. 
Scorpions are found in all the warmer portions of the globe, 
and under the tropics they may be said to swarm. They are, 
as a general rule, intolerant of light, creeping by day into every 
cranny that can shelter them from the unwelcome sunbeams, 
and often causing very great annoyance by this custom. Old 
travellers, who have learned by experience the habits of these 
creatures, do not retire to rest before they have carefully exa- 
mined the bed and surrounding furniture, especially taking up 
the pillow, and seeing that no enemy has lodged within the 
folds of the bedding. The left hand is generally employed in 
lifting the clothes, while the right is armed with a boot-jack, or 
stout shoe, or some other convenient weapon, with which the 
Scorpion may be immolated to the just wrath of its discoverer 
before it can run off and hide itself afresh. Shoes, boots, and 
gloves are also favourite resorts of the Scorpion, which has 
caused many an inexperienced traveller to buy future caution 
at rather a dear rate. 
Scorpions may be found everywhere, under every stone, and 
