of fo terrible a nature as is commonly fuppofed, and it 
is but rarely that any bad confequences happen from its 
fling. But the large Scorpions of Africa, fuch as here 
reprefented, may well be fuppofed capable of inflicting 
a wound of the moft fevere pungency and of the moft 
dreadful malignity. The poifon is evacuated through 
three very fmall foramina near the tip of the fling, viz. 
one on each fide the tip, and the other in the upper 
part. It is well known that a diverfity of opinion has 
fubfifted amongft authors relative to the flit or foramen 
in the fangs of fpiders, through which their poifon is 
evacuated. The fame contrariety of fentiment takes 
place with refpedt to fuch a foramen in the Scorpion’s 
fling. The celebrated Redi, aflifted by the belt micro- 
fcopes he could procure, was not able to difcover it; 
though he was well convinced of its exiftence from 
perceiving the minute drop of poifon exfude from near 
the tip of the fling. Others have denied the exiftence 
of the foramen; but Vallifneri and Leewenhoek have 
both defcribed two foramina, viz. one on each fide the 
tip, and which are of a fhape inclining to triangular: 
befides thefe a third foramen has fometimes been feen ; 
fo that the fling of the Scorpion can with greater faci¬ 
lity difcharge its venom than that of any other animal. 
The part in Scorpions which is feated below the breaft 
and is toothed in the manner of a comb, is in the Lin- 
nsan language termed the pedten; and Linnteus has 
endeavoured to diftinguifh the fpecies of Scorpions 
from the number of teeth in this part; but this has 
been found a fallacious mark of diftindtion ; fince they 
vary in the number of teeth, and confequently no great 
certainty can be obtained from this character alone. 
The 
