In comparing these instances, we find no word used sim))ly for the purpose of causing pain. The contemjituons expression used on the occasion of Herod's threat is, we have seen, amply justified by
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SCORPION
SCORPION
the character of the man, and destined to hold up to reprobation so paltry a device and so wretched a personality. In the rest His silence is an ex- pression of His own dignity, and of His refusal to give an answer to questions and charges which were not intended to bring the truth to light, but merely to raise unreasonable prejudice ; while His severe attacks on the character of those who were too blinded by their imaginary virtues to try to amend their lives, are wonderful instances of a scorn unmarred by ill-nature and untainted with cynicism.
On scorn of which Christ was the object, see artt. Despise, Mockery, Reproach.
T. Allen Moxon.
SCORPION ((TKopirm). — A real nuisance in hot countries, especially in Bible lands, scarce and comparatively innocuous in Southern Europe, the scorpion is unkno^^■n save from hearsay in Central and Northern Europe. It has, however, left its mark in the familiar expression in cauda venerium, as well as in astronomical science, where it counts amongst the constellations of the Zodiac.
1. Zoological description. — The scorpion is an arthropod, of the class of Arachnoidce, of the sub- class of Arthrogastra, of the order oi Scorpionidce. It has four pairs of legs, and in front one pair of extremely strong claws (palpi). Its abdomen con- sists of 7 anterior segments, broad and intimately connected with the cephalo-thorax, and of 6 pos- terior segments, Avhich are narrower, and consti- tute the tail (or post-abdomen). The last of these 6 posterior segments is incurved underneath, and terminates in a pointed hook surrounded by two powerful venomous glands. The scorpion catches its prey with its strong claws, curves its tail towards it above its own back, and inflicts the death sting. The scorpion's sting is very painful even for man ; it may prove fatal when the insect belongs to one of the big tropical species ; and even with minor species life may be imperilled when the throat is concerned ; cf. Tristram (Nat. Hist, of Bible ^, p. 303), Avho has ' known one instance [in Palestine] of a man dying from the effect of the scorpion's sting.'
There occurs in Southern Europe, sometimes even in Switzerland and Southern Germany, a species of scorpion relatively innocuous — the scor- pius Europceus. In the Mediterranean peninsulas as well as in the South of France, another more dangerous species is to be found, the Buthus occi- tanus. In the Eastern lands of the Bible there are six, eight, perhaps even twelve different species of scorpions belonging to the genera Buthiis and Androctonus. They reach a length of 5 to 6 inches (in tropical countries 12 inches ; cf. Morris, Bible Natural History, Calcutta, 1896, p. 101). Palgrave (Central and Eastern Arabia, 1883, p. 28) was stung in Arabia by one of the numerous 'desert scorpions,' which he describes as 'curious little creatures, about a fourth of an inch in length, and apparently all claws and tail, of a deep reddish- brown colour, and very active.' The Talmud of Jerusalem (Ber. 9«) says that the scorpion's sting is even more dangerous than that of the snake, because it repeats it. Conder (Tent Work^, 1895, p. 113) tells that he was stung by one scorpion 'in six places along the leg.'
Scorpions are exclusively carnivorous, feeding upon insects and worms. They are useful in destroying mosquitoes. Not infrequently they devour each other. The female scorpion eats up the male after fecundation.
Ancient authors (Aristotle, Pliny) report that scorpions devour their own parents. This assertion is connected with a false etymology of the Heb. word 3"3py (true etymology unknown), as if it were derived from Ipj; ' to exterminate,' and 3X ' father.' Thomson {LB ii. 480) ' tried the experiment of surrounding a
scorpion with a ring of fire, and when it despaired of escape, it repeatedlj' struck its own head, and soon died either from the poison or 'ts Satanic rage — I could not be certain which — per- haps from both combined.'
There are differently coloured scorpions : some are black, others brown, reddish, yellowish, grey or white, some are striped. They are frequently found in Palestine under stones, among ruins, in crevices of walls, in dung-heaps, and empty cisterns. Travellers camping in tents or lodging in the houses of natives, as well as archseologists con- ducting excavations, have to be careful to guard themselves and their men from scorpions ; for even when the sting is not fatal, it is a cause of acute pain, and jjrevents walking and working.
According to a popular superstition, a man who has eaten a scorpion is immune against the sting of any of these animals, and able to relieve a victim by sucking the wound (Conder, I.e.). It is also believed that by applying to the wound a squashed scorpion, or by reading some magic formulae over the patient, a cure is effected.
2. OT references. — In geography, scorpions gave their name to a place mentioned in the OT — the ' Ascent of Scorpions,' mddleh ' Akrabbim (Nu 34'*, Jos 15^*, Jg P^), at the limit of the territory of Judali, towards Idumsea, south-west from the Dead Sea ; it is probably the pass now called Nakb es-Safd, leading to Wady-Fikreh, or another pass near the same wady.