viii. 14: "So are the paths of all that forget God; and the
hypocrite's hope shall perish. Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose hope shall be a spider's web" (or house). In both instances reference is made to the fragility of the Spider's web as a metaphor to express the futility of evil devices.
The reader will see that in neither of these passages is there anything that indicates the species of Spider. There are very many species of Spider in Palestine; some which spin webs, like the common Garden Spider, some which dig subterranean cells and make doors in them, like the well-known Trap-door Spider of Southern Europe, and some which have no webs, but chase their prey upon the ground, like the Wolf and Hunting Spiders. Notice is, however, only taken of those which spin webs.
ANNELIDA.
THE WORM.
Various words translated as "Worm"--Probable confusion of the words--The Rimmah and the Tole'ah--The Worm which destroyed Jonah's gourd--The Earthworm.
The word "worm" occurs many times in the Authorized Version, and is a rendering of three Hebrew words. One is _sâs_, which has been already explained under the article Moth; the second is _rimmah_; and the third _tole'ah_. There is very great difficulty in ascertaining the real signification of these words, unless we assume that the Hebrews were not aware of the distinction between actual Annelida and the larvæ of various insects.
Even at the present day we commit a similar error. We speak of the wire-worm, which is the larva of one kind of beetle. We say that wood is worm-eaten, signifying that it has been attacked by the larva of another kind of beetle. Then we use the word "palmer-worm" to signify the larva of a moth, "glow-worm" to signify a beetle, "tape-worm" to signify an entozoon, and--strangest of all--"blindworm" to signify a lizard which can see perfectly well. We therefore need not wonder that the Hebrew language produces similar confusion of nomenclature.
The other words are frequently used in connexion with each other. The Rimmah is the "worm" that was bred in the manna when it had been kept beyond the specified time, and it is evident that the larva of some insect, such as the blow-fly, is signified.
The word is evidently used in the same sense by Job. The "worm shall feed sweetly on him" (xxiv. 20). "They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them" (xxi. 26). The same word is employed in his lamentation over his evil case: "My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; my skin is broken, and become loathsome" (vii. 5). In xxv. 6 he uses both words: "Man that is a worm, and the son of man that is a worm." This passage is more correctly rendered in the Hebrew Bible: "Man that is a worm (_rimmah_), and the son of man which is a maggot" (_tole'ah_). Both words are also used in connexion with each other by Isaiah: "The worm (_rimmah_) is spread under thee, and the worms (_tola'im_) cover thee" (xiv. 11).
The well-known passage in Job xix. 26 is altogether wrongly rendered in the text, the marginal translation being much more correct. The Worm is not mentioned at all in that passage, which the Jewish Bible renders as follows: "Even after my skin shall have been stripped off this [body] and flesh, I shall see God."
The Worm which destroyed the gourd of Jonah was a Tolaeth (another form of _tole'ah_). See Jonah iv. 7.
The passage in Micah probably refers to the earthworm: "They shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth" (vii. 17). In this case, however, the expression is a general one, and, as may be seen by reference to the marginal translation, is more correctly rendered not as "worms," but as "creeping things."
THE HORSE LEECH.
Signification of the word Alukah--The Arabic word--Leeches in Palestine--The horse and the Leech--Leeches in England.
In Prov. xxx. 15 there is a word which only occurs once in the Scriptures. This is _alukah_, which is translated as horse-leech. "The horseleech hath two daughters, crying, Give, give."
The Hebrew Bible does not translate the word at all. There is, however, no doubt that the translation is a correct one. Buxtorf renders the word as _sanguisuga hirudo_, and it is worthy of remark that the Arabic name for the Leech, Aluk, is identical with the Hebrew Alukah.
The Leeches are very common in Palestine, and infest the rivers to such an extent that they enter the nostrils of animals who come to drink, and cause great annoyance and even danger. The following anecdote, related by Mr. H. Dixon in his "Holy Land," gives us a good idea of the prevalence of the Leeches, and the tenacity with which they retain their hold:--
"At Beit-Dejan, on a slight twist in the road, we find the wheel and well, and hear a delicious plash and rustle in the troughs. To slip from my seat to dip Sabeah's nose into the fluid is the work of a second; but no sooner has she lapped up a mouthful of water, than one sees that the refuse falling back from her lips into the tank is dabbled and red. Opening her mouth, I find a gorged leech dangling from her gum. But the reptile being swept off, and the mare's nose dipt into the cooling stream, the blood still flows from between her teeth, and, forcing them open, I find two other leeches lodged in the roof of her mouth.
"Poor little beast! how grateful and relieved she seems, how gay, how gentle, when I have torn these suckers from her flesh, and soused the water about her wounds; and how my hunting-whip yearns to descend upon the shoulders of that laughing and careless Nubian slave!"
Persons passing through the river are also attacked by them, and, if they have a delicate skin, suffer greatly. Even in England this will happen. While bathing in a Kentish stream, I have found, when coming out of the water, that numbers of Leeches were adhering to me, and have had considerable trouble in removing them.
PROTOZOA AND RADIATA.
SPONGE AND CORAL.
Use of the Sponge in Scripture--Probability that the ancient Jews were acquainted with it--Sponges of the Mediterranean--The Coral, and its value--Signification of the word _Ramoth_.
There is little to be said on either of these subjects.
Sponge is only mentioned with reference to the events of the Crucifixion, where it is related that a soldier placed a sponge upon hyssop, dipped it in vinegar (_i.e._ the acid wine issued to the Roman soldiers), and held it to the Lord's lips. There is little doubt that the ancient Hebrews were fully aware of the value of the Sponge, which they could obtain from the Mediterranean which skirted all their western coasts.
The Coral is mentioned in two passages of Scripture: "No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls" (Job xxviii. 18). The second occurrence of the word is in Ezek. xxvii. 16: "They occupied in thy fairs with emeralds, purple, and broidered work, and fine linen, and coral, and agate."
This Coral, which is described as being brought from Syria, was probably that of the Red Sea, where the Coral abounds, and where it attains the greatest perfection. The Hebrew word, _ramoth_, is expressive of the peculiar growth of the Coral, and signifies high, or lofty.
INDEX.
A.
Abou Hannes, 489. Menzel, 489.
_Accipiter nisus_, 365.
_Acridium peregrinum_, 598.
Acronotus bubalis, 144.
Adas, 143.
Addax, 141.
Adder, 554.
African Elephant, 311.
_Akas_, 143.
_Akbar_, 91.
Ako, 207.
Alpine ibex, 204.
_Ammoperdix Heyii_, 427.
Ammotragus, 186.
Anakah, 69.
Annelida, 644.
Ant, 616. Agricultural, 618. Mound-making, 618. Stinging, 618.
Aoudad, 186.
Ape, 1.
Aphaniptera, 636.
_Apis fasciata_, 612. _mellifica_, 606.
Aptera, 636.
_Aquila chrysaëtos_, 354. _mogilnik_, 355.
Arachnida, 640.
_Ardea cinerea_, 470.
Ariel, 136.
Arnebeth, 97.
_Arvicola arvalis_, 93.
_Asinus hemippus_, 280.
Ashkoko, 316.
Ass, 264. Domesticated, 264. Wild, 279.
_Athene noctua_, 371. _Persica_, 371.
_Atta barbara_, 621. _malefaciens_, 618.
_Ayzal_, 208.
_Ayzalah_, 208.
Azel, 203.
B.
Bactrian Camel, 244.
Badger, 70.
Barbel, 567. Long-headed, 567.
_Barbus longiceps_, 566.
Bat, 11.
Bear, 75.
Beden, 203.
Bee, 605. Banded, 606. Honey, 605.
Behemoth, 318.
Bhunder, 3.
Bison, 131.
Bittern, 80, 462.
Black Vulture, 336.
Blue Thrush, 398.
Bog-bleater, 464.
Bonasus, 131.
Bonnet Monkey, 10.
Boomah, 371.
_Botaurus stellaris_, 462.
Bubale, 143.
_Bubalus buffelus_, 114.
_Bubo ascalaphus_, 373. _maximus_, 374. _Virginianus_, 374.
Buffalo, 114.
Bull, 101. Wild, 119.
Butter, 203. bump, 464.
C.
_Caccabis saxatilis_, 429.
Calf, 101.
Camel, 216. Arabian, 244.
_Camelus Bactrianus_, 216. _dromedarius_, 216.
Capistrated Sphænops, 533.
_Capra Angorensis_, 202. _Mambrica_, 202. _Nubiana_, 203. _Syriaca_, 202.
_Caprovis Musimon_, 188.
Caspian Emys, 569.
Cat, 36.
Cattle, 101.
Cerastes, 559.
Chameleon, 534.
Chamois, 185.
Chasidah, 478.
_Chephor-peroth_, 88.
Chetah, 29.
Choled, 68.
Cicigna, 533.
_Ciconia nigra_, 483.
_Circaëtus gallicus_, 355.
_Circus æruginosus_, 368. _cyaneus_ 369.
Climber, 203.
Cobra, 544.
Cockatrice, 554.
_Columba ænas_, 419. _livia_, 418. _palumbus_, 419. _Schimperi_, 418.
Coney, 312.
Cora, 136.
Coral, 647.
Corine Antelope, 135.
Corinna, 135.
Cormorant, 490.
_Corvus agricola_, 447. _corax_, 447. _monedula_, 447. _umbrinus_, 447.
_Coryphæna hippurus_, 571.
Corvphene, 571.
Cow, 101.
Crane, 474.
_Cricetus frumentarius_, 94.
Crocodile, 514.
Crow, Hooded, 447.
Cuckoo, 405.
Culex, 635. Great Spotted, 405.
_Cyprinus_, 531.
_Cypselus affinis_, 389. _melba_, 389.
D.
_Daboia xanthica_, 555.
_Dasypus_, 97.
Deer, 208.
Deloul, 229.
Deror, 384.
Dhubb, 512.
Diadem Staircase Shell, 588.
Dibs, 611.
_Dipsas plicatus_, 593.
Diptera, 632.
_Dipus_, 95.
Dishon, 141.
_Dôb_, 76.
Dog, 39. Periwinkle, 586. Whelk, 586.
Dor-hawk, 379.
Dormouse, 96.
Dove, 408. Barbary, 421. Blue Rock, 418. Egyptian Rock, 418. Ring, 419. Stock, 419. Wild Rock, 419.
Duck, Hawk, 369.
E.
Eagle, 354. Fishing, 356. Golden, 354. Imperial, 355. Short-toed, 355.
_Echis arenicola_, 552. _carinata_, 553.
_Echeneis remora_, 570.
Egyptian Mastigure, 512.
Elephant, 302.
_Elephas Indicus_, 311.
_Emys caspica_, 509.
_Entellus_, 3, 4.
Epheh, 552.
_Ephialtes Scops_, 377.
_Erinaceus_, 83.
F.
_Falco lanarius_, 362. _peregrinus_, 362.
Fallow-Deer, 143, 208.
Fan-foot, 69.
Father John, 489. Sickle-bill, 489.
_Felis maniculatus_, 37.
Fern Owl, 378.
Ferret, 69.
Fichtall, 186.
Field-mouse, 92.
Fish, Sucking, 570.
Fishes, 563.
Flea, 638.
Fly, 632. Camel, 635.
Fowl, Domestic, 421.
Fox, 55.
Francolin, 430.
Frog, 557. Edible, 559. Green, 559.
G.
_Gazella Dorcas_, 133.
Gazelle, 133.
Gecko, 534.
Gier-Eagle, 339.
Glass Snake, 531.
Glede, 361.
Gnat, 635.
Goat, 189.
Goatsucker, 379.
Grayling, Syrian, 631.
Great Shearwater, 407.
Greyhound, 49.
Griffon Vulture, 345.
Groaner, 69.
_Grus cinerea_, 476.
_Gyps fulvus_, 345.
H.
_Halicore hemprichii_, 72.
Hamster, 94.
Hare, 96.
Harier Hawk, 367. Hen, 369. Marsh, 368.
Hart, 208.
Hawk, 364. Blue, 369. Dove, 369. Ring-tailed, 369. White, 369.
Hedgehog, 80.
Heifer, 101.
Heirie, 229
Heron, 468
_Herpestes_, 68.
Hind, 208.
_Hircus ægragus_, 202.
_Hirundo cahirica_, 388. _rufula_, 388.
Homoptera, 622.
Honey, 609.
Hoonuman, 3.
Hoopoe, 392.
Hornet, 613.
Horse, 248.
Hunting Leopard, 29.
Hyacinthine Gallinule, 486.
Hyæna, 62.
_Hydrosaurus niloticus_, 539.
Hymenoptera, 605.
Hyrax, 312.
_Hystrix_, 86.
I.
Ibex, Arabian, 203.
Ibis, 488. _falcinellus_, 489. Glossy or Green, 489. _religiosa_, 488. White or Sacred, 488.
Insects, 596.
Izab, 506.
J.
Jachmur, 143.
Jackal, 55.
Jackdaw, 447.
Jaela, 186, 204.
Jar-Owl, 378.
Jerboa, 95.
K.
Kaath, 497.
Kalong, 12.
Kestrel, 365.
Kevel, 136.
Kevella Antelope, 135.
Khopash, 15.
Kippôd, 80.
Kite, 357. Black, 359. Common, 358. Egyptian, 360. Red, 358.
Klip-das, 315.
_Kophim_, 2.
L.
_Lacerta viridis_, 530.
Lämmergeier, 334.
Lanner Falcon, 362.
Lapwing, 392.
Leech, Horse, 646.
Leopard, 29.
Lepidoptera, 624.
Lerwea, 186.
Letââh, 529.
Leviathan, 514.
Lion, 18.
Lizard, 529. Green, 530. Jersey, 530. Scaly, 529.
Locust, 596. Migratory, 596.
Long-horned Gazelle, 136.
Louse, 636.
M.
_Macacus Rhesus_, 3.
Macaques, 3.
Magpie, 448.
Maharik, 229.
Makur, 3.
Manx Shearwater, 407.
Martin, 388. House, 388. Sand, 388.
_Meleagrina margaritifera_, 595.
_Milvus atra_, 358. _Egyptiacus_, 360. _regalis_, 358.
Mohair Goat, 200.
Mole, 86.
Molluscs, 585.
Monitor, 534. Land, 539. Nilotic, 539.
Monoceros, 123.
Moor Buzzard, 369.
Mosquito, 635.
Moth, Clothes, 624. Grain, 626. Silkworm, 627.
Mouflon, 188.
Mouse, 91.
Mule, 285.
_Mullus sur muletus_, 552.
Muræna, 567.
_Muræna helena_, 566.
_Murex brandaris_, 586. _trunculus_, 586.
_Mygale_, 69.
N.
_Naja haje_, 544. _tripudians_, 545.
_Nates niloticus_, 581.
_Nectarinia Oseæ_, 384.
_Neophron percuopterus_, 341.
Netz, 364.
Night-hawk, 377. -jar, 379.
Nil-Bhunder, 6.
Nile Perch, 581.
Nubian Wild Goat, 204.
O.
_OEdipoda migratoria_, 596.
Onycha, 590.
Orange-tip, Syrian, 631.
Oreb, 449.
Oryx, 120.
Ospray, 356.
Ossifrage, 334.
Ostrich, 450.
Ounce, 29.
_Ovis Capensis_, 160. _cauda obesa_, 160. _laticaudatus_, 160. _laticauda platycerus_, 160. _steatopyga_, 160.
Owl, 370. Barn, 373. Churn, 378. Eagle, 374. Egyptian Eagle, 373. European Eagle, 374. Great, 373. Little, 371. Little Night, 371. Scops, 377. Screech, 373. Virginian Eared, 374. White, 373.
Ox, 101.
_Oxylophus glandarius_, 406.
P.
_Pandion haliaëtus_, 356.
Parash, 245.
Partridge, 426. Black, 430. Desert, 427. Greek, 429.
_Passer Cisalpinus_, 402. _montanus_, 403. _salicarius_, 404.
Peacock, 425.
Pearl, 592. Mussel, 593. Oyster, 595.
Pelican, 495. Crested, 502.
_Pelicanus cristatus_, 502.
_Petrocossyphus cyaneus_, 398.
Pigeon, 418. House, 419. Rock, 418.
_Plestiodon auratum_, 531.
Porcupine, 85.
_Porphyrio veterum_, 339, 486.
Poultry, 421.
_Presbytes entellus_, 4.
Protozoa, 647.
_Psammosaurus scincus_, 539.
_Pseudopus pallasii_, 531.
Pteropus, 16.
_Puffinus Anglorum_, 407. _cinereus_, 407.
_Purpura hæmastoma_, 586. _lapillus_, 586.
Pygarg, 141.
Q.
Quail, 430.
_Quercus coccifera_, 623.
R.
Radiata, 647.
_Rana esculenta_, 559.
Raven, 439. Ashy-necked, 447. World-wide, 447.
Red Deer, 208.
Reêm, 121.
_Rhinopoma microphylla_, 18.
_Rhesus_, 3.
Rock Rabbit, 315.
Roe, 133.
Rook, 447.
S.
Sand-rat, 96.
Satyr, 10.
_Scalaria diadema_, 588.
Scheltopusic, 531.
_Scincus officinalis_, 531.
Scorpion, 640.
Selâv, 534.
Seps, 533.
Serpents, 540.
Shâlâk, 490.
Sheat-fishes, 565.
Sheep, 146.
Shephiphon, 554.
Shrew-mouse, 69.
_Silenus veter_, 6.
_Silurus macracanthus_, 566.
Skink, 531.
Snail, 589.
Snake, Dart, 543. Horatta-pam, 553.
Solomon's fleet, 1.
_Spalax_, 88.
Sparrow, 395. -hawk, 365. House, 404.
_Sphænops sepsoides_, 543.
Spider, 443.
Sponge, 647.
Stannel Hawk, 365.
Star-gazer, 581.
Starling, 449.
Steinbok, 203.
Stork, 478. Black, 483.
_Strix flammea_, 373.
Surmullet, 582.
_Sus_, 248.
Swallow, 381. Oriental, 388. Rufous or Russet, 388. -tail, Syrian, 631. White, 391.
Swan, 485.
Swine, 292.
Swift, 388. Alpine, 389. Galilean, 389. Marsh, 404. Spanish, 404. Tree, 403.
Syrian Goat, 200. Grayling, 631. Orange-tip, 631. Swallow-tail, 631.
T.
_Tabanus marocanus_, 635.
_Tachash_, 70.
_Testudo Græca_, 507.
_Thynnus thynnus_, 570.
_Tinea granella_, 626.
_Tinnunculus alaudarius_, 365.
_Tinshemeth_, 87, 488.
_Tô_, 116.
Tones, Sacred, 175.
Tortoise, 505.
Toxicoa, 552.
Trumpet, Ram's-horn, 175.
_Truxalis_, 598.
Tsebi, 133.
Tunny, 570.
Turtle Dove, 419. Collared, 421. Palm, 421.
_Turtur risorius_, 421. _Senegalensis_, 421.
Tzippor-deror, 391.
Tzirah, 612.
U.
Unicorn, 121.
_Unio margaritiferus_, 593.
_Upupa epops_, 392.
_Uranoscopus-scaber_, 581.
_Ursus Isabellinus_, 76.
Urus, 127.
V.
_Vespa orientalis_, 616.
Viper, 552. Horned, 551. Sand, 552. Yellow, 555.
Vulture, Arabian, 348. Bearded, 36. Egyptian, 339. of Scripture, 357.
W.
Wall-lizard, 69.
Wanderoo, 6.
Weasel, 68.
Wheel-bird, 379.
Wild Bull, 116. Goat, 203. Ox, 116.
Wind-hover, 365.
Wing-shell, 590.
Wolf, 50.
Worm, 644. Canker, 630. Crimson, 622. Palmer, 630.
X.
_Xantharpya ægyptiaca_, 16.
Y.
Yanshûph, 373.
Z.
Zamar, 186.
_Zeëb_, 50.
_Zootoca vivipara_, 529.
LONDON: R. CLAY, SONS, AND TAYLOR, PRINTERS
Transcriber's note: In the Chapter titled "Serpents" there are words with diacritical marks not available in the Latin-1 character set: se[~c]d[~m],--[~c] c with a tilde above it and [~m] m with a tilde above it, similitudin[~e].--[~e] e with a tilde above it, [~s]pentis,--[~s] s with a tilde above it, Þa[~i],--[~i] i with a tilde above it, [~t]ned,--[~t] t with a tilde above it, hi[~r],--[~r] r with a tilde above it, Þai[~i]r,--[~r] r with a tilde above it, and Þa[~i],--[~i] I with a tilde above it.
In the Chapter titled "The Viper, or Epheh." is the word [)a]k-shoob. The [)a] is an a with a breve accent above it.