Note: Scorpions have a flattened body, and a long, slender
post-abdomen formed of six movable segments, the last
of which terminates in a curved venomous sting. The
venom causes great pain, but is unattended either with
redness or swelling, except in the axillary or inguinal
glands, when an extremity is affected. It is seldom if
ever destructive of life. Scorpions are found widely
dispersed in the warm climates of both the Old and New
Worlds.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The pine or gray lizard ({Sceloporus
undulatus}). [Local, U. S.]
4. (Script.) A painful scourge.
My father hath chastised you with whips, but I will
chastise you with scorpions. --1 Kings xii.
11.
5. (Astron.) A sign and constellation. See {Scorpio}.
6. (Antiq.) An ancient military engine for hurling stones and
other missiles.
{Book scorpion}. (Zo["o]l.) See under {Book}.
{False scorpion}. (Zo["o]l.) See under {False}, and {Book
scorpion}.
{Scorpion bug}, or {Water scorpion} (Zo["o]l.) See {Nepa}.
{Scorpion fly} (Zo["o]l.), a neuropterous insect of the genus
{Panorpa}. See {Panorpid}.
{Scorpion grass} (Bot.), a plant of the genus {Myosotis}. {M.
palustris} is the forget-me-not.
{Scorpion senna} (Bot.), a yellow-flowered leguminous shrub
({Coronilla Emerus}) having a slender joined pod, like a
scorpion's tail. The leaves are said to yield a dye like
indigo, and to be used sometimes to adulterate senna.
{Scorpion shell} (Zo["o]l.), any shell of the genus
Pteroceras. See {Pteroceras}.
{Scorpion spiders}. (Zo["o]l.), any one of the Pedipalpi.
{Scorpion's tail} (Bot.), any plant of the leguminous genus
{Scorpiurus}, herbs with a circinately coiled pod; -- also
called {caterpillar}.
{Scorpion's thorn} (Bot.), a thorny leguminous plant
({Genista Scorpius}) of Southern Europe.
{The Scorpion's Heart} (Astron.), the star Antares in the
constellation Scorpio.
2. (Bot.) A plant of the genus {Scorpiurus}, with pods
resembling caterpillars.
{Caterpillar catcher}, or {Caterpillar eater} (Zo["o]l.), a
bird belonging to the family of Shrikes, which feeds on
caterpillars. The name is also given to several other
birds.
{Caterpillar hunter} (Zo["o]l.), any species of beetles of
the genus {Callosoma} and other allied genera of the
family {Carabid[ae]} which feed habitually upon
caterpillars.