Gradual increase of Insect Life on advancing towards the Line—The Hercules Beetle3—The Goliath—The Inca Beetle—The Walking-leaf, and Walking-stick Insects—The Soothsayer—Luminous4 Beetles5—Tropical Spiders—Their gaudy6 colours—Trap-door Spiders—Enemies of the Spiders—Mortal Combat between a Spider and a Cockroach7—Tropical Scorpions—Dreadful effects of their sting.
On advancing from the temperate8 regions to the line, we find the insects gradually increasing with the multiplicity of plants, and at length attaining10 the greatest size, brilliancy of colour, and variety of form in those tropical lands where moisture combines with heat in covering the ground with a dense11 and everlasting12 vegetation. Our largest insects are indeed mere14 pygmies when compared with their tropical relatives. We have no tiger-beetle to equal the ferocious15 Mantichora of South Africa, which, hiding beneath stones from the terrible glare of the sun, darts16 quickly from its place of concealment18 upon its ill-fated prey19; nor a stag-beetle of the size of the Odontolabris Cuvera of China and Northern India. Our largest dung-feeding Lamellicorns look but small near the African Copris Hamadryas; and our cockchafer, though conspicuous20 among our native insects, is a dwarf21 when confronted206 with the Leucopholis bimaculata of India, which, if it be voracious22 in proportion to its size, must destroy a vast amount of vegetation in the course of its long larval existence. The Goliath beetles of the coast of Guinea, are truly deserving of their name, and in torrid America the colossal23 Hercules beetle attains24 a length of five, or even six inches. Though but little is yet known of its economy, it most likely subsists25 upon putrescent wood, and evidently leads a tree life, like its relations—the Elephant, the Neptune26, the Typhon, the Hector,207 and the Mars beetles—whose very names indicate that they are ‘first-rate liners’ in the insect world. All these beetles excavate27 burrows29 in the earth, where they conceal17 themselves during the day, or live in the decomposed30 trunks of trees, and are generally of a dark rich brown or chestnut31 colour. On the approach of night they run about the footpaths32 in woods, or fly around the trees to a great height with a loud humming noise. Resembling the large herbivorous quadrupeds by their comparative size and horn-like processes, they are still further like them in their harmless nature, and thus deserve in more than one respect to be called the elephants among the insect tribes.
ODONTOLABRIS CUVERA.
COPRIS HAMADRYAS.
LEUCOPHOLIS BIMACULATA.
Many of the tropical dragon-flies, grasshoppers33, butterflies, and moths34 are of no less colossal dimensions in their several orders than the giants among the beetles. The Libellula lucretia, a South American dragon-fly, measures five inches and a half in length, and the cinnamon-eating Atlas-moth of Ceylon often reaches the dimensions of nearly a foot in the stretch of its superior wings. The names of many other species conspicuous by their size might be added; but these examples suffice to show the enormous proportions attained35 by insects in the warmer regions of the globe.
In the tropical zone, where the prodigality36 of life multiplies208 the enemies which every creature has to encounter, we may naturally expect to find the insects extremely well provided with both passive and active means of defence.
Many so closely resemble in colour the soil or object on which they are generally found, as to escape even the eye of a hungry enemy. The wings of several Brazilian moths appear like withered38 leaves that have been gnawed39 round their margins40 by insects; and when these moths are disturbed, instead of flying away, they fall upon the ground like the leaf which they resemble, so that it is difficult, if not impossible, on such occasions to know what they really are.
PHYLLIUM.
The illusion is still more complete when the likeness41 of form is joined to that of colour, as in the walking-leaf and walking-stick insects. Some, of an enormous length, look so exactly like slender dead twigs42 covered with bark, that their insect nature can only be discovered by mere accident—upon being handled they feign43 death, and their legs are often knobbed, like the withered buds of trees; some resemble living twigs, and are green; others such as are decayed, and are therefore coloured brown; the wings of many put on the resemblance of dry and crumpled45 leaves, while those of others are vivid green—in exact accordance with the plants they respectively inhabit. This highly remarkable46 family consists of the herbivorous Phasmas and Phylliums—the former of which have a thin twig-like shape, while the latter have an enlarged body—and of the carniverous Mantides, or soothsayers. As the Mantis47 is slow and without much muscular energy, and its organisation48 requires a large supply of food, Nature has disguised it under the form of a plant, the better to deceive its victims. Like a cat approaching a mouse, it moves almost imperceptibly along, and steals towards its prey, fearful of putting it to flight. When sufficiently49 near, the fore44 legs are suddenly darted50 out to their full length, and seize the doomed51 insect, which vainly endeavours to extricate52 itself; the formation of the fore leg enabling the tibia to be so closed on the sharp edge of the thigh53 as to amputate any slender substance brought within its209 grasp, and to make even an entomologist repent54 a too hasty seizure55 of his prize.
The Mantis, by the attitude it assumes when lurking56 for its prey or advancing upon it—which is done by the support of the four posterior legs only, whilst the head and prothorax are raised perpendicularly57 from the body, and the anterior58 legs are folded in front—greatly resembles a person praying. Hence, in France it is called Le Prêcheur, or Le Prie Dieu; the Turk says it points to Mecca; and several African tribes pay it religious observances. In reality, however, its ferocity is great, and the stronger preying59 on the weaker of their own species, unmercifully cut them to pieces.
MANTIS.
Within the space of a week, Professor Burmeister saw a Mantis devour60 daily some dozens of flies, and occasionally large grasshoppers and young frogs, consuming, now and then, lizards61 three times its own length, as well as many large fat caterpillars63. Hence it may be judged what ravages64 these strangely-formed creatures must cause among all weaker beings which incautiously approach them, and that, far from being the saints, they are, in reality, the tigers of the insect world. Among the organic marvels65 of the innocent herbivorous Phylliums, their seed-like eggs must be mentioned; for the wonderful provision of Nature in giving the parents a plant-like form extends even to their progeny66, in order to secure them from similar dangers. Though generally tropical, yet Van Diemen’s Land possesses a gigantic walking-stick, or Phasma, the body of which is eight inches long; and the Mantis religiosa is found all over Southern Europe.
The leaf-like form which renders the Phylliums one of the wonders of entomology, appears likewise in other insects. Thus, in the Diactor bilineatus, a native of Brazil, the hind67 legs have singular leaf-like appendages68 to their tibial joints69; and in the Javanese Mormolyce, a beetle remarkable for its extreme flatness and the elongation of its head, we find the upper wings spreading out in the form of broad leaves.
The long hairs, stiff bristles70, sharp spines71, and hard tubercular prominences72 with which many caterpillars are bristled210 and studded, are a most effectual means of defence, and often prove a grievous annoyance73 to the entomologist, from their poisonous or stinging properties. Mr. Swainson once finding in Brazil a caterpillar62 of a beautiful black colour, with yellow radiated spines, and being anxious to secure the prize, incautiously took hold of it with the naked hand; but so instantaneous and so violent was the pain which followed, that he was obliged to return home. Every device that could be thought of to allay74 the itching75 produced by the venomous hairs of this creature were in turn resorted to, with little or no effect for several hours, nor had it entirely77 ceased on the following morning.
JAVANESE MORMOLYCE.
Though the great majority of luminous animals are marine78, frequently lighting79 up the breaking wave with millions of moving atoms, or spreading over the beach like a sheet of fire,20 yet several insects are also endowed with the same wonderful property. The European glow-worms and fire-flies, sparkling on the hedge-rows, or flying in the summer air, afford a charming spectacle; but their brilliancy is far surpassed by that of the phosphorescent beetles of the torrid zone. Thus the Cocujas of South America, which emits its light from two little transparent80 tubercles on the sides of the thorax, glows with such intensity81 that a person may with great ease read the smallest print by the phosphorescence of one of these insects, if held between the fingers and gradually moved along the lines with the luminous spots above the letters; but if eight or ten of them are put into a phial the light will be sufficiently good to admit of writing by it.
COCUJAS.
The Indian Archipelago is equally rich in luminous insects. The Podada tree, the ornament82 of most of the river banks of Borneo, has a remarkably83 elegant foliage84 of a light green colour. Rajah Brooke21 describes these trees illuminated85 by the fire-flies211 in countless86 numbers as a most enchanting87 sight, and resembling a fire-work by the constant motion of the light. On the Samarahan he sometimes saw each side of the river lit by a blaze of these beautiful little insects.
In the woods of Sarawak Mr. Adams observed a splendid glow-worm (Lampyris), each segment of the body illuminated with three lines of tiny lamps, the luminous spots on the back being situated88 at the posterior part of the segmentary rings on the median line, while those along the sides of the animal were placed immediately below the stomates or spiracula, each spiraculum having one bright spot. This very beautiful insect was found shining as the darkness was coming on, crawling on the narrow pathway, and glowing among the dead damp wood and rotten leaves. When placed around the finger, it resembled in beauty and brilliancy a superb diamond ring.
The sparkling effulgence89 of the tropical Elaters is frequently made use of by the fair sex, as an equally singular and striking ornament. The ladies of the Havana attach them to their clothes on occasions of festivity, and the Indian dancing girls often wear them in their hair.
In Prescott’s ‘Conquest of Mexico’ we are told that, in 1520, when the Spaniards visited that country, the wandering sparks of the Elater, ‘seen in the darkness of the night, were converted by their excited imaginations into an army with matchlocks;’ and on another occasion these phosphorescent insects caused British troops to retreat: for when Sir John Cavendish and Sir Robert Dudley first landed in the West Indies, and saw at night an innumerable quantity of lights moving about, they fancied that the Spaniards were approaching with an overwhelming force, and hastily re-embarked before their imaginary foe90.
A creature, half of whose body is generally fixed91 to the other by a mere thread, whose soft skin is unable to resist the least pressure, and whose limbs are so loosely attached to the body as to be torn off by the slightest degree of force, would seem utterly92 incapable93 of protecting its own life and securing that of its progeny. Such, however, is the physical condition of the spiders, who would long since have been extirpated94 if Nature had not provided them with the power of secreting95 two212 liquids, the one a venom76 ejected by their mandibles, the other of a glutinous96 nature, transuded by papillæ at the end of their abdomen97. These two liquids amply supply the want of all other weapons of attack or defence, and enable them to hold their own against a host of enemies. With the former they instantly paralyse insects much stronger and much more formidable in appearance than themselves; while with the latter they spin those threads which serve them in so many ways—to weave their wonderful webs, to traverse the air, to mount vertically98, to drop uninjured, to construct the hard cocoons100 intended to protect their eggs against their numberless enemies, or to produce the soft down which is to preserve them from the cold.
Preying on other insect tribes, which they attack with the ferocity of the tiger, or await in their snares101 with the patient artifice102 of the lynx, the spiders may naturally be expected to be most numerous in the torrid zone, where Nature has provided them with the greatest abundance and variety of food. There also, where so many beetles, flies, and moths attain9 a size unknown in temperate regions, we find the spiders growing to similar gigantic dimensions, and forming webs proportioned to the bulk of the victims which they are intended to ensnare.
In some parts of Makalolo, Dr. Livingstone saw great numbers of a large beautiful yellow-spotted spider, the webs of which were about a yard in diameter. The lines on which these webs were spun103, extended from one tree to another, and were as thick as coarse thread. The fibres radiated from a central point, where the insect waited for its prey. The webs were placed perpendicularly, and a common occurrence in walking was to get the face enveloped104 in them, as a lady is in a veil.
By means of their monstrous105 webs many giant-spiders of the tropical zone are enabled to entangle106 not only the largest butterflies and moths, but even small birds. Some Mexican species extend such strong nets across the pathways, that they strike off the hat of the passer-by; in Senegal spiders spin threads so strong as to be able to bear a weight of several ounces, and in the forests of Java, Sir George Staunton saw spider-webs of so strong a texture107 that it required a sharp knife to cut one’s way through them; and many other similar examples might be mentioned.
213 These large spiders so temptingly suspended in mid-air in the forest glades108, seem very much exposed to the attacks of birds, but in many cases it has pleased Nature to invest them with large angular spines sticking out of their bodies in every kind of fashion. Some are so protected by these long prickles that their bodies resemble a miniature ‘chevaux de frise,’ and could not by any possibility be swallowed by a bird without producing a very unpleasant sensation in his throat. One very remarkable species (Gasteracantha arcuata) has two enormous recurved conical spines, proceeding109 upwards110 from the posterior part of the body, and several times longer than the entire spider.
Other Araneæ, to whom these means of defence have been denied, are enabled by their colour to escape the attacks of many enemies, or to deceive the vigilance of many of their victims. Thus, those that spend their lives among the flowers and foliage of the trees are, in general, delicately and beautifully marked with green, orange, black, and yellow, while those which frequent gloomy places are clothed with a dark-coloured and dingy111 garb112, in accordance with their habits. In the forests about Calderas, in the Philippine Archipelago, Mr. Adams saw handsomely coloured species of Theridia crouching113 among the foliage of the trees: while numbers of the same genus of a black colour were running actively114 about among the dry dead leaves that strewed115 the ground, looking, at a little distance, like odd-shaped ants, and no doubt deceiving many an antagonist117 by this appearance. One species, which knew it was being watched, placed itself upon a diseased leaf, where it remained quite stationary118 until after the departure of the naturalist119, who, had he not seen the sidelong movement of the cunning little creature in the first instance, would not have been able to distinguish its body from the surface of the leaf. While, in this case, dulness of colour served as a defence, the vividly-coloured spiders that live among the foliage and flowers no doubt attract many flies and insects by reason of their gaudily-tinted bodies.
One of the most remarkable instances of the harmony of colour between the Araneæ and their usual haunts was noticed by Mr. Adams among dense thickets120 formed by the Abrus precatoria, where he found a spider with a black abdomen marked214 on each side with scarlet121, thus resembling the colours of the seeds of the Abrus, so well known to children under the name of ‘black-a-moor beauties.’
An exception to the general rule is, however, found in those very large and powerful species which, if not rendered somewhat conspicuous to the sight of other insects, might do too much damage to the tribes which they keep in check. Most of these, therefore, have the thorax and abdomen margined122 with a light colour that contrasts strongly with that of their bodies, and, in many cases, gives timely warning of their approach.
The European spiders have generally a very repulsive123 appearance, while many of the tropical species are most splendidly ornamented124, or rather illuminated, many of them by the vividness of their colours resembling the gaudy missals painted by monks125 in the Middle Ages. Thus, among the Epeiras of the Philippine Islands, are found white figures on a red ground; red, yellow, and black, in alternate streaks126; orange marbled with brown, light green with white occelli, yellow with light brown festoons, or ash-coloured and chestnut bodies with crescents, horse-shoes, Chinese characters, and grotesque127 hieroglyphics128 of every description. Unfortunately, these colours, lustrous129 and metallic130 as the feathers of the humming-bird, are, unlike the bright colours of the beetle, totally dependent on the life of the insect which they beautify, so that it is impossible to preserve them.
While most spiders obtain their food either by patiently waiting in ambush131 or by catching132 it with a bound, the enormous mygales, or trap-door spiders, run about with great speed in and out, behind and around every object, searching for what they may devour, and from their size and rapid motions exciting the horror of every stranger. Their body, which sometimes attains a length of three inches, while their legs embrace a circle of half a foot in diameter, is covered all over with brown, reddish brown, or black hair, which gives them a funereal133 appearance, while their long fangs134 armed with sharp hooks proclaim at once what formidable antagonists135 they must be to every insect that comes within their reach. Though some species are found in Southern Europe, in Chili136, or at the Cape37, yet they are chiefly inhabitants of the torrid zone, both in the old215 and the new world. Some of them weave cells between the leaves, in the hollows of trees or rocks, while others dig deep tubular holes in the earth, which they cover over with a lid, or rather with a door formed of particles of earth cemented by silken fibres, and closely resembling the surrounding ground. This door or valve is united by a single hinge to the entrance at its upper side, and is so balanced that, when pushed up, it shuts again by its own weight; nay137, what is still more admirable, on the interior side opposite to the hinge a series of little holes may be perceived, into which the mygale introduces its claws to keep it shut, should any enemy endeavour to open it by force. The interior of the nest, which is sometimes nine inches deep, is lined with a double coat of tapestry138, the one nearest the wall, which is of a coarser tissue, being covered with a pure white silken substance like paper.
New-comers into the country which the trap-door spider inhabits, are often as surprised as Ali Baba in the ‘Forty Thieves’ by seeing the ground open, a little lid lifted up, and a grim black-haired spider peer about as if to reconnoitre the position before sallying out of its fortress139. At the least movement on the part of the spectator, down drops the spider disappearing into its hole, the door closes and the astonished observer, unable to find its traces in the apparently140 unbroken soil doubts whether his eyes have not deceived him. Nothing short of actual violence will induce the trap-door spider to vacate the premises141 it has so admirably constructed. It holds on with all its might and will permit the earth to be excavated142 around its burrow28 and the whole nest to be removed without deserting its home. But all its energy vanishes as soon as it is removed from the burrow it so pertinaciously143 defended; it then loses all its activity, remains144 fixed to the spot as if stupified, or at the best walks languidly about like one who has lost all that made existence valuable.
At Caldera, Mr. Adams observed a dingy little species of spider of the genus Clubiona, concealing145 itself in very snug146 retreats formed out of a dead leaf, rolled round in the shape of a cylinder147, lined with a soft silken tissue, and closed at one end by means of a strong woven bolt-door. When hunted, it was amusing to see the frightened little creatures run for protection into their tiny castles, where they would doubtless216 be safe from the attacks of birds, owing to the leaves not being distinguishable from others that strew116 the ground.
All species of spiders are gifted with an admirable maternal148 instinct, and resort to various methods for the purpose of securing their cocoons. The Theridion, when a seizure of the precious burden is threatened, tumbles together with it to the ground, and remains motionless, while the Thorinsa covers it with its body, and when robbed of it, wanders about disconsolate149. In a forest of the Sooloo Islands, Mr. Adams found the ground literally150 overrun with a small black agile151 species of Lycosa, many of which had a white flattened152 globose cocoon99 affixed153 to the end of their abdomen. It was most amusing to watch the care with which these jealous mothers protected the cradles of their little ones, allowing themselves to fall into the hands of the enemy rather than be robbed of the silken nests that contained them.
If the spiders are at war with all other insects, and contribute to keep them within bounds by the destruction they cause among their ranks, they in their turn are sorely persecuted154 creatures. Monkeys, squirrels, lizards, tortoises, frogs, and toads155 catch and devour them wherever they can. In Java and Sumatra, we even find a family of sparrows named Arachnotheræ, from their living almost exclusively on spiders. Armed with a prodigiously156 long recurved and slender beak157, these birds know how to pursue them and drag them forth158 from the most obscure recesses159.
It is amongst the insects, however, that the spiders have to fear their most numerous and formidable enemies. Independently of those which they find in their own class, the centipedes seize them beyond the possibility of escape; and several species of wasps160, more savage162 and poisonous than themselves, will rush upon spiders eight times their size and weight, and benumbing them with a sting, bear them off to their nests, to serve as food for their larvæ.
Others attack the spiders in their progeny. The Pimpla Arachnitor pierces with its invisible gimlet the tender skin of the spider’s egg, and, without tearing it, introduces its own eggs into the liquid. The pimpla’s egg soon comes to maturity163, and the larva devours164 the substance of that of the spider, from whence a winged insect bursts forth—a phenomenon which made some naturalists165, too hasty to judge from217 appearances, believe that spiders were able to procreate four winged flies.
Notwithstanding the disgust or horror which they generally inspire, the spiders are, with very rare exceptions, by no means injurious to man. However promptly166 their venom may act upon insects, even that of the largest species of Northern Europe produces, on coming into contact with our skin, no pain or inflammation equalling in virulence167 that of the wasp161, the bee, the gnat168, or other insects of a still smaller size. The giant spiders of a sunnier sky, armed with more formidable weapons, naturally produce a more painful sting; but even here the effects have been much exaggerated.
In the country of the Makalolo, Dr. Livingstone, feeling something running across his forehead as he was falling asleep, put up his hand to wipe it off, and was sharply stung, both on the hand and head; the pain was very acute. On obtaining a light, he found that it had been inflicted169 by a light-coloured spider about half an inch in length; but one of the negroes having crushed it with his fingers, he had no opportunity of examining whether the pain had been produced by poison from a sting, or from its mandibles. No remedy was applied171, and the pain ceased in about two hours.
If thus, among the many species of spiders, hardly a single one may be said to be formidable to man, the indirect services which they render him—by diminishing the number of noxious172 insects—are far from inconsiderable.
In several countries where insects cause great ravages, the services of the spiders are duly appreciated. Thus in the West Indies, a large and formidable trap-door spider, which would make a European start back with horror, is looked upon with pleasure by the islanders of the torrid zone, who respect it as a sacred animal, by no means to be disturbed or harmed, as it delivers them from the cockroaches173, which otherwise would overrun their dwellings174. Those who do not possess these spiders take good care to purchase and transport them into their houses, expecting from them similar services to those we derive175 from a good domestic cat. The spectacle of a trap-door spider bounding on a cockroach, with all the ferocity of a tiger springing on its prey, would no doubt have all the interest of a bull-fight if the diminutive176 size of the combatants were swelled218 to more ample proportions. Mr. E. Layard has described one of these encounters which he witnessed near a ruined temple in Ceylon. When about a yard apart, each of the enemies discerned the other and stood still, the spider with his legs slightly bent177 and his body raised, the cockroach confronting him, and directing his antennæ with a restless undulation towards his enemy. The spider, by stealthy movements, approached to within a few inches, and paused, both parties eyeing each other intently; then suddenly a rush, a scuffle, and both fell to the ground, when the blatta’s wings closed; the spider seized it under the throat with his claws, and when he had dragged it into a corner, the action of his jaws178 was distinctly audible. Next morning, Mr. Layard found the soft parts of the body had been eaten, nothing but the head, thorax, and elytra remaining.
SCORPION2.
The scorpions, which even in Europe are reckoned among the most malignant179 insects, are truly terrific in the torrid zone, where they frequently attain a length of six or seven inches. Closely allied180 to the spiders, their aspect is still more repulsive. Were one of the largest scorpions menacingly to creep up against you, with extended claws and its long articulated sharply-pointed tail projecting over its head, I think, despite the strength of your nerves, you would start back, justly concluding that a creature of such an aspect must necessarily come with the worst intentions. The poison of the scorpion is discharged like that of the snake. Near the tip of the crooked181 sting, namely, which terminates the tail, we find two or three very small openings, through which, on pressure, the venom of the gland182 with which they are connected immediately issues forth. By means of this weapon, even the small European scorpions are able to kill a dog, while the tropical giants of the race inflict170 wounds that become fatal to man himself. The sting of several South American scorpions produces fever, numbness183 of the limbs, tumours184 on the tongue, weakness of the sight, and other nervous symptoms, lasting13 twenty-four or forty-eight hours; but the African scorpions seem to be still more formidable. Mr. Swainson informs us that the only means of saving the lives of our219 soldiers who were stung by those of Egypt, was the amputation185 of the wounded limb; and Professor Ehrenberg, who, while making his researches on the Natural History of the Red Sea, was stung five times by the Androctonus quinquestriatus, and funestus, says he can well believe, from the dreadful pains he suffered, that the poison of these scorpions may become fatal to women and children.
Scorpions, being intolerant of light, creep by day into every hole or corner that can shelter them from the unwelcome sunbeams, and often cause very great annoyance by this custom. No traveller in a scorpion-infested country who has learnt by experience the habits and dangerous character of these creatures will retire to rest before having carefully examined his bed, especially taking up the pillow, to ascertain186 that no enemy is lurking within the folds of the bedding. Shoes, boots, and gloves are also favourite resorts of the scorpion, a circumstance which has caused many a serious accident.
The burrows of this formidable animal can always be detected by the semilunar form of the entrance, exactly fitting the outline of the animal which digs it. To force them to quit the premises nothing more is required than to pour in some water, when the disturbed inmate187 rushes furiously out, his pincers snapping wildly at the enemy.
The suicidal propensities188 of the scorpion, when, inclosed by a fiery189 circle, it finds escape impossible, have been often mentioned in prose and poetry, and form among others the subject of a beautiful simile190 in Byron’s ‘Giaour’:—
The Mind, that broods o’er guilty woes191, Is like the scorpion girt by fire, In circle narrowing as it glows, The flames around their captive close, Till, inly searched by thousand throes, And maddening in her ire, One sad and sole relief she knows, The sting she nourish’d for her foes192, Whose venom never yet was vain, Gives but one pang193, and cures all pain, And darts into her desperate brain: So do the dark in soul expire, Or live like scorpion girt by fire.
The voluntary death of the animal is doubted by many, who maintain that the position of the sting when turned towards220 the head, is merely a convulsive movement; but the opinion of those who are inclined to bring in the verdict ‘Felo de se’ is corroborated194 by Captain Pasley, R.A., who repeatedly tried the experiment of surrounding the scorpion with a ring of fire, and invariably found that it had stung itself to death. The fiery circle was about fifteen inches in diameter and composed of smouldering ashes. In every instance the scorpion ran about for some minutes, trying to escape, and then deliberately195 bent its tail over its back, inserted the point of its sting between two of the segments of his body and speedily died. The heat given out by the ashes was very trifling196 and not equal to that which is caused by the noontide sun, a temperature which the scorpion certainly does not like, but which it can endure without suffering much inconvenience. Generally the scorpion was dead in a few minutes after the wound was inflicted.
Of a ferocious cruel disposition197, the scorpions are not only the foes of all other animals, but carry on a war of extermination198 among themselves, and are even said to kill and devour their own progeny, without pity, as soon as they are born; thus rendering199 good service to the community at large. Maupertuis once inclosed a hundred scorpions—a select and delightful200 party—in a box. Immediately a furious battle ensued—one against all, all against one—and in an hour’s time scarcely one of the combatants survived the conflict.
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scorpions
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| n.蝎子( scorpion的名词复数 ) | |
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scorpion
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| n.蝎子，心黑的人，蝎子鞭 | |
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beetle
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| n.甲虫，近视眼的人 | |
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luminous
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| adj.发光的，发亮的；光明的；明白易懂的；有启发的 | |
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beetles
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| n.甲虫( beetle的名词复数 ) | |
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gaudy
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| adj.华而不实的；俗丽的 | |
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cockroach
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| n.蟑螂 | |
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temperate
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| adj.温和的，温带的，自我克制的，不过分的 | |
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attain
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| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
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attaining
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的现在分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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everlasting
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| adj.永恒的，持久的，无止境的 | |
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lasting
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| adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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ferocious
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| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
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darts
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| n.掷飞镖游戏；飞镖( dart的名词复数 )；急驰，飞奔v.投掷，投射( dart的第三人称单数 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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concealment
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| n.隐藏, 掩盖，隐瞒 | |
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19
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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dwarf
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| n.矮子，侏儒，矮小的动植物；vt.使…矮小 | |
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voracious
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| adj.狼吞虎咽的，贪婪的 | |
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23
colossal
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| adj.异常的，庞大的 | |
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24
attains
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的第三人称单数 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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subsists
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| v.（靠很少的钱或食物）维持生活，生存下去( subsist的第三人称单数 ) | |
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26
Neptune
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| n.海王星 | |
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27
excavate
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| vt.挖掘，挖出 | |
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28
burrow
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| vt.挖掘(洞穴)；钻进；vi.挖洞；翻寻；n.地洞 | |
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burrows
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| n.地洞( burrow的名词复数 )v.挖掘（洞穴），挖洞( burrow的第三人称单数 )；翻寻 | |
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30
decomposed
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| 已分解的，已腐烂的 | |
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31
chestnut
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| n.栗树，栗子 | |
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32
footpaths
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| 人行小径，人行道( footpath的名词复数 ) | |
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33
grasshoppers
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| n.蚱蜢( grasshopper的名词复数 )；蝗虫；蚂蚱；（孩子）矮小的 | |
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34
moths
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| n.蛾( moth的名词复数 ) | |
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35
attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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36
prodigality
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| n.浪费，挥霍 | |
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37
cape
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| n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风 | |
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38
withered
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| adj. 枯萎的，干瘪的，（人身体的部分器官）因病萎缩的或未发育良好的 动词wither的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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39
gnawed
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| 咬( gnaw的过去式和过去分词 )； （长时间） 折磨某人； （使）苦恼； （长时间）危害某事物 | |
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40
margins
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| 边( margin的名词复数 )； 利润； 页边空白； 差数 | |
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41
likeness
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| n.相像，相似（之处） | |
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42
twigs
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| 细枝，嫩枝( twig的名词复数 ) | |
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43
feign
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| vt.假装，佯作 | |
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44
fore
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| adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部 | |
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45
crumpled
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| adj. 弯扭的, 变皱的 动词crumple的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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46
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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47
mantis
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| n.螳螂 | |
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48
organisation
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| n.组织，安排，团体，有机休 | |
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49
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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50
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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51
doomed
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| 命定的 | |
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52
extricate
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| v.拯救，救出；解脱 | |
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53
thigh
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| n.大腿；股骨 | |
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54
repent
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| v.悔悟，悔改，忏悔，后悔 | |
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55
seizure
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| n.没收；占有；抵押 | |
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56
lurking
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| 潜在 | |
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57
perpendicularly
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| adv. 垂直地, 笔直地, 纵向地 | |
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58
anterior
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| adj.较早的；在前的 | |
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59
preying
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| v.掠食( prey的现在分词 )；掠食；折磨；（人）靠欺诈为生 | |
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60
devour
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| v.吞没；贪婪地注视或谛听，贪读；使着迷 | |
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61
lizards
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| n.蜥蜴( lizard的名词复数 ) | |
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62
caterpillar
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| n.毛虫，蝴蝶的幼虫 | |
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63
caterpillars
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| n.毛虫( caterpillar的名词复数 )；履带 | |
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ravages
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| 劫掠后的残迹，破坏的结果，毁坏后的残迹 | |
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65
marvels
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| n.奇迹( marvel的名词复数 )；令人惊奇的事物（或事例）；不平凡的成果；成就v.惊奇，对…感到惊奇( marvel的第三人称单数 ) | |
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66
progeny
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| n.后代，子孙；结果 | |
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67
hind
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| adj.后面的，后部的 | |
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68
appendages
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| n.附属物( appendage的名词复数 )；依附的人；附属器官；附属肢体（如臂、腿、尾等） | |
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joints
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| 接头( joint的名词复数 )； 关节； 公共场所（尤指价格低廉的饮食和娱乐场所） （非正式）； 一块烤肉 （英式英语） | |
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70
bristles
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| 短而硬的毛发，刷子毛( bristle的名词复数 ) | |
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71
spines
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| n.脊柱( spine的名词复数 )；脊椎；（动植物的）刺；书脊 | |
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72
prominences
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| n.织物中凸起的部分；声望( prominence的名词复数 )；突出；重要；要事 | |
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73
annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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74
allay
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| v.消除，减轻(恐惧、怀疑等) | |
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75
itching
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| adj.贪得的，痒的，渴望的v.发痒( itch的现在分词 ) | |
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76
venom
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| n.毒液，恶毒，痛恨 | |
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77
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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78
marine
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| adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵 | |
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79
lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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80
transparent
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| adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的 | |
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81
intensity
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| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
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82
ornament
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| v.装饰，美化；n.装饰，装饰物 | |
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83
remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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84
foliage
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| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
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85
illuminated
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| adj.被照明的；受启迪的 | |
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86
countless
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| adj.无数的，多得不计其数的 | |
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87
enchanting
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| a.讨人喜欢的 | |
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88
situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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89
effulgence
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| n.光辉 | |
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90
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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91
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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92
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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93
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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94
extirpated
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| v.消灭，灭绝( extirpate的过去式和过去分词 )；根除 | |
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95
secreting
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| v.（尤指动物或植物器官）分泌( secrete的现在分词 )；隐匿，隐藏 | |
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96
glutinous
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| adj.粘的，胶状的 | |
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97
abdomen
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| n.腹，下腹(胸部到腿部的部分) | |
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98
vertically
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| adv.垂直地 | |
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99
cocoon
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| n.茧 | |
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100
cocoons
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| n.茧，蚕茧( cocoon的名词复数 )v.茧，蚕茧( cocoon的第三人称单数 ) | |
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101
snares
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| n.陷阱( snare的名词复数 )；圈套；诱人遭受失败（丢脸、损失等）的东西；诱惑物v.用罗网捕捉，诱陷，陷害( snare的第三人称单数 ) | |
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102
artifice
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| n.妙计，高明的手段；狡诈，诡计 | |
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103
spun
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| v.纺，杜撰，急转身 | |
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104
enveloped
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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105
monstrous
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| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
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106
entangle
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| vt.缠住，套住；卷入，连累 | |
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107
texture
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| n.(织物)质地；(材料)构造；结构；肌理 | |
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108
glades
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| n.林中空地( glade的名词复数 ) | |
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109
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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110
upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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111
dingy
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| adj.昏暗的，肮脏的 | |
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112
garb
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| n.服装，装束 | |
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113
crouching
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 ) | |
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114
actively
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| adv.积极地，勤奋地 | |
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115
strewed
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| v.撒在…上( strew的过去式和过去分词 )；散落于；点缀；撒满 | |
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116
strew
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| vt.撒；使散落；撒在…上，散布于 | |
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117
antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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118
stationary
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| adj.固定的，静止不动的 | |
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119
naturalist
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| n.博物学家(尤指直接观察动植物者) | |
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120
thickets
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| n.灌木丛( thicket的名词复数 )；丛状物 | |
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121
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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122
margined
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| [医]具边的 | |
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123
repulsive
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| adj.排斥的，使人反感的 | |
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124
ornamented
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| adj.花式字体的v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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125
monks
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| n.修道士，僧侣( monk的名词复数 ) | |
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126
streaks
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| n.（与周围有所不同的）条纹( streak的名词复数 )；（通常指不好的）特征（倾向）；（不断经历成功或失败的）一段时期v.快速移动( streak的第三人称单数 )；使布满条纹 | |
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127
grotesque
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| adj.怪诞的，丑陋的；n.怪诞的图案，怪人（物） | |
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128
hieroglyphics
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| n.pl.象形文字 | |
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129
lustrous
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| adj.有光泽的；光辉的 | |
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130
metallic
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| adj.金属的；金属制的；含金属的；产金属的；像金属的 | |
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131
ambush
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| n.埋伏(地点)；伏兵；v.埋伏；伏击 | |
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132
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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133
funereal
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| adj.悲哀的；送葬的 | |
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134
fangs
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| n.（尤指狗和狼的）长而尖的牙( fang的名词复数 )；（蛇的）毒牙；罐座 | |
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135
antagonists
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| 对立[对抗] 者，对手，敌手( antagonist的名词复数 )； 对抗肌； 对抗药 | |
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136
chili
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| n.辣椒 | |
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137
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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138
tapestry
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| n.挂毯，丰富多采的画面 | |
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139
fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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140
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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premises
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| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
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excavated
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| v.挖掘( excavate的过去式和过去分词 )；开凿；挖出；发掘 | |
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pertinaciously
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| adv.坚持地；固执地；坚决地；执拗地 | |
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remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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concealing
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，遮住( conceal的现在分词 ) | |
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snug
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| adj.温暖舒适的，合身的，安全的；v.使整洁干净，舒适地依靠，紧贴；n.（英）酒吧里的私房 | |
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147
cylinder
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| n.圆筒，柱(面)，汽缸 | |
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148
maternal
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| adj.母亲的，母亲般的，母系的，母方的 | |
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disconsolate
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| adj.忧郁的，不快的 | |
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literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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agile
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| adj.敏捷的，灵活的 | |
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flattened
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| [医]（水）平扁的，弄平的 | |
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affixed
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| adj.[医]附着的，附着的v.附加( affix的过去式和过去分词 )；粘贴；加以；盖（印章） | |
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persecuted
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| （尤指宗教或政治信仰的）迫害(~sb. for sth.)( persecute的过去式和过去分词 )； 烦扰，困扰或骚扰某人 | |
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155
toads
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| n.蟾蜍，癞蛤蟆( toad的名词复数 ) | |
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prodigiously
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| adv.异常地，惊人地，巨大地 | |
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beak
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| n.鸟嘴，茶壶嘴，钩形鼻 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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recesses
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| n.壁凹( recess的名词复数 )；（工作或业务活动的）中止或暂停期间；学校的课间休息；某物内部的凹形空间v.把某物放在墙壁的凹处( recess的第三人称单数 )；将（墙）做成凹形，在（墙）上做壁龛；休息，休会，休庭 | |
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wasps
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| 黄蜂( wasp的名词复数 )； 胡蜂； 易动怒的人； 刻毒的人 | |
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wasp
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| n.黄蜂，蚂蜂 | |
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savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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maturity
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| n.成熟；完成；(支票、债券等)到期 | |
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devours
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| 吞没( devour的第三人称单数 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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naturalists
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| n.博物学家( naturalist的名词复数 )；（文学艺术的）自然主义者 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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virulence
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| n.毒力，毒性；病毒性；致病力 | |
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gnat
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| v.对小事斤斤计较，琐事 | |
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inflicted
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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inflict
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| vt.(on)把…强加给，使遭受，使承担 | |
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applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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noxious
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| adj.有害的，有毒的；使道德败坏的，讨厌的 | |
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cockroaches
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| n.蟑螂( cockroach的名词复数 ) | |
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174
dwellings
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| n.住处，处所( dwelling的名词复数 ) | |
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derive
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| v.取得；导出；引申；来自；源自；出自 | |
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diminutive
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| adj.小巧可爱的，小的 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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178
jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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malignant
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| adj.恶性的，致命的；恶意的，恶毒的 | |
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allied
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| adj.协约国的；同盟国的 | |
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crooked
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| adj.弯曲的；不诚实的，狡猾的，不正当的 | |
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gland
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| n.腺体，(机)密封压盖，填料盖 | |
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numbness
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| n.无感觉，麻木，惊呆 | |
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184
tumours
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| 肿瘤( tumour的名词复数 ) | |
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185
amputation
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| n.截肢 | |
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186
ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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187
inmate
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| n.被收容者；(房屋等的)居住人；住院人 | |
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propensities
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| n.倾向，习性( propensity的名词复数 ) | |
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189
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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simile
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| n.直喻，明喻 | |
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191
woes
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| 困境( woe的名词复数 )； 悲伤； 我好苦哇； 某人就要倒霉 | |
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foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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193
pang
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| n.剧痛，悲痛，苦闷 | |
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194
corroborated
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| v.证实，支持（某种说法、信仰、理论等）( corroborate的过去式 ) | |
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195
deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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196
trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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197
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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198
extermination
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| n.消灭，根绝 | |
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199
rendering
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| n.表现，描写 | |
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200
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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