The morning call., 1891-03-01

of rattlesnake it makes spring OF two
feet or more straight upward. While in the
air he sees where his enemy is, and no
sooner does he strike the ground again than
he forces the fighting. leaping forward sew
eral feet at a time. Inc raltle a5 ,e
spring. As he does so the tarantula
makes leap, and unless the snake
can move its head to one side quick
enough the tarantula is at its throat and the
work is done, and the snake dies in terrible
agony from poison more deadly than its
own. But, as the snakes motions are quick,
the tarantula seldom has an opportunity to
bury its fangs at the first leap. Often the
battle continues for an hour or more, and
those who have witnessed such sight say
that it is most exciting. In every instance
it ends in death 10 the snake. Quite fire.
quently both snake and spider are killed.
The only means the snake has OF killing Its
antagonist is by biting OF crushing II, and
in either operation the snake receives a
death wound, whereas if the taraDtula can
inflct wound without getting under the
snake, or too near its mouth, it runs no dam
ger.
Another bite that kills is that of the cent?
pede. Contrary to the habits of the taran-
lula, the centipede seeks the habitation of
man, and does not hesitate to lntrude INTO
the sleeping al artments. 1t Is usually found
under stones and about rotten wood, but
feels just as much at home on lace curtain
or in the folds blanket. The usual length
is from four to five inches, though specimens
have been found that measured eight inches.
The largest are not over One-fOurth OF an
inch in breadth, and at every Joint oil the
body is pair OF short legs.
They are a constant source OF terror to
women, and with good reason. Probably
three women are bitten by them to one man.
The skirts dragging on the floor or sweeping
over the sidewalk excite their curiosity and
Il
quickly seize upon anything that interfereS
with them, and thuslt is that IL woman may
excite the wrath OF a centipede without being
aware Of his presence at the tiule.
The bite Of the centipede requires prompt
attention, or the life of the patient is i'm
peried. Although not as dangerous as that
of the tarantula the same treatment is re-
Quired. -
The scorpion is another objection to living
in warm countries. His bite often proves
fatal. lie is curious liLtle fellow and
looks something like walking lobster Inc
body is from two and half to four inches
in length. Many suppose that their sting is
inflicted by the lobster law-like feelers
that branch out from either side of the head,
but that is not so. These palpi, or feelers.
are used for holding the captive insects
upon which it feeds. While the victim is
thus held the killing is done by little thorn
like sting at the end of its tail The tail Is
fully one-haf the length of the BODY and
composed of six joints, which permit Of
its moving in any direction. When
excited the scorpion runs very fast,
and always with its tail elevated, ready. to
strike. When the sting is given while the
scorpion is at rest,it is administered by
raising the tail over its back and striking
downward. which drives the little thorn-like
point into the flesh, at the same. time emit
ting a venomous liquid. Ii the sting be
given while the scorpion is running, it has
the effect of a scratch, similar to that given
by a cat, only much more painful. To per-
sons OF robust health the sting is not gen.
orally fatal, but it is usually so to children
or debilitated people. What is lacking in
deadliness is made up for in painfulness.
Persons who have been stung by scorpion
say that, in addition to the almost unbear-
able pain, cold chill comes on, followed by
flashes of heat, giving one sensation as
near deathlike as anything can be- Chill
dren seldom recover Like centipedes,
scorpions seem to take special delight i'll
crawling around the house.-N. Y. Sun.