Rensselaer Republican, Volume 12, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 December 1879 — Suicide of the Scorpion. [ARTICLE]

Suicide of the Scorpion.

Allen Thomson, the eminent naturalist, writes to Nature as follows: Doubts having been expressed at various times, even by learned naturalists, as to the reality of the suicide or self-destruction of the scorpion by means of its own poison, and these doubts having been again stated in Nature, Vol. 20, page 533, by Mr. R. F. Hutchinson, of Peshawar, as the result of his own observations, I think it may be useful to give an articulate account of the phenomenon as it has -been related to me by an eye-witness, which removes all possible doubt as to its occurrence in certain circumstances. .

While residing many years ago during the summer months at the baths of Lucca, Italy, in a somewhat damp locality, my informant, together with the rest of the family, was much annoyed by the frequent intrusion of small black scorpions into the house, and their being secreted among the bedclothes, in shoes and in other articles of dress. It thus became necessary to Ims constantly on the watch for these troublesome creatures, and to take means for their removal and destruction. Having been informed by the natives of the place that the scorpion would destroy itself if exposed to a sudden light, my informant and her friends soon became adepts in catching the scorpions and disposing of them ip the manner suggested; This consisted in confining the animal under an inverted drinking-glass or tumbler, below which a card was inserted when the capture was made, and then, waiting till dark, suddenly bringing the light of a candle near to the glass in which the animal was confined. No sooner was this done than the scorpion invariably showed signs of great excitement, running round and round the interior of the tumbler with reckless velocity for a number of times. This state having lasted for a minute or more, the animal suddenly became quiet, and, turning its tail or the hinder part of its body over its back, brought its recurved sting down upon the noddle of the head, and, piercing it forcibly. in a few seconds became quiet motionless, and, in fact, quite dead. This observation was repeated very frequently; in truth, it was adopted as the best plan of getting rid of the animals, and the young people were in the habit of handling the scorpions with impunity immediately after they were so Killed, and of preserving many of them as curiosities. ✓ —A husband in this town calls his wife “ Discipline.” Queer enough, too, as he is unable to maintain her.— Oil Oily Derrick.