A certain Historian informs us of stimulating Scorpions that infest Cashan in Parthia: They are of small Size, not strong in Body, but very terrible in their Wounds, there being the greatest Malignity in their Stings; upon which is grafted this proverbial Curse in that Nation, May a Scorpion of Cashan sting thee[[187]]: But Chardin, Tavernier, and others, place Cashan in Persia,
“where they are very much infested with Scorpions at all Seasons, but especially when the Sun is in that Sign, which is one of the twelve Signs in the Zodiack; so that ’tis become, says another Historian, a Curse, May the Scorpions of Cashan sting thy Gulls.”
This occasions every one to be provided with sovereign Remedies against them, which is a Piece of Copper-money they put upon the Wound, take it off 24 Hours after, and apply a Plaister of Honey and Vinegar. The Holstein Ambassadors say they are very black, of the Length and Thickness of a Man’s Finger, and run faster than Crab-fishes, with their Tails always erected[[188]].
[187]. Herbert’s Travels, Book ii. p. 13.
[188]. Duke of Holstein’s Ambassadors Travels into Persia, sparsim.
We read of a certain Emperor of Persia, who designing to make a Tour into Media, durst not undertake the Journey, for the vast Quantity of Scorpions lying in the Road: So that he was obliged to detach a great Number of stout Fellows to destroy those pestiferous Animals, promising a superior Reward to them that kill’d most: Till this Execution was over, he durst not venture his dignified Carcass abroad. The Scythian Scorpions are of the large Size, and terrible when they shoot their Stings.
In Madagascar, a large African Island, are several Sorts of Scorpions, particularly Water-Scorpions, that lie in the Marshes and standing Waters, which are very mischievous, killing Dogs and Beasts, and then sucking their Blood. There is another Sort of Scorpions with a great round black Belly, that are very dangerous; for those whom they strike immediately swoon, and some for two Days are weak, and cold as Ice. The only Remedy they have, is that used against Serpent’s Wounds, viz. to set the Patient by a great Fire, and giving him Antidotes to expel the Poison, which proves a Cure[[189]].
[189]. Atlas Geograph. Asia, from La Croix.
In Italy, Land-Scorpions are call’d Scurtificio, because they have their Poison nel-pizzo, in the Extremity of their Tail. Among the Germans, pizzo is sharp, as spits als een naalde, pointed as a Needle: The Country people bring them in Sack-fuls to Florence, and take them out with naked Hands, as if they were so many Eels, which supposes them to be of the innocent Kind, like those white Scorpions in Pharos, a little Island in the Mouth of Nilus, where there is plenty of these pacifick Animals, who offer no Violence to their Neighbours. Mention is made of other Provinces where they live and hurt no body[[190]].
[190]. Fran. Redi opusculorum, pars prior.