DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4098#0052
INSURRECTION AT CORFU. 29
and the first morning after our arrival, as soon as I awoke, I saw a
scorpion on my pillow. The sting of the scorpion is not mortal in
Greece, and is easily cured by the application of the Oleum Scor-
pionum,1 or oil in which scorpions have been infused ; the animal
itself, mashed and put immediately on the wound, is said to effect a
rapid cure. Their virus is proportionably stronger where the climate
or the season is hotter ; in parts of Africa their sting is certain death,
and the town of Pescara is deserted by its inhabitants in the sum-
mer on account of the great quantity of scorpions.2 In winter they
are nearly in a torpid state, and their sting is less dangerous. It
is said, that if a scorpion is surrounded by a circle of burning coals,
and finds it cannot escape, it strikes itself with its sting on the back,
and immediately dies. The few scorpions I saw in Greece are about
two inches in length, and generally black. I found some at Ther-
mopylae about half an inch longer, and of a dull yellow tint. In
Italy they are extremely common, and enter the houses as soon as
the first autumnal rains commence.
We had not been in the island two hours, when we heard a firing in
the streets. Mr. Poresti, who was with us at the time, immediately
guessed the cause, and said he was convinced that a quarrel had
broken out between the Greeks and the Turks; this event having
been expected for some time, owing to the insolent and overbearing
behaviour of the latter. It is necessary to mention that the Septin-
sular, or Ionian Republic, was at that time under the protection of
the Russians and the Turks, both of which nations had a fleet sta-
tioned in the port of Corfu: the Turkish sailors were sometimes
permitted to land on market-days; and being always armed, paraded
the streets with the greatest insolence. The immediate origin of the
present affair is not well known; but it is supposed that a Turk,
taking improper liberties with the wife of a Corfuote, the husband
resented the affront, in strong language, and was immediately shot
Br. Mead on Poisonous Animals. "- Joann. Leo Histor. Afric, b. 6,
and the first morning after our arrival, as soon as I awoke, I saw a
scorpion on my pillow. The sting of the scorpion is not mortal in
Greece, and is easily cured by the application of the Oleum Scor-
pionum,1 or oil in which scorpions have been infused ; the animal
itself, mashed and put immediately on the wound, is said to effect a
rapid cure. Their virus is proportionably stronger where the climate
or the season is hotter ; in parts of Africa their sting is certain death,
and the town of Pescara is deserted by its inhabitants in the sum-
mer on account of the great quantity of scorpions.2 In winter they
are nearly in a torpid state, and their sting is less dangerous. It
is said, that if a scorpion is surrounded by a circle of burning coals,
and finds it cannot escape, it strikes itself with its sting on the back,
and immediately dies. The few scorpions I saw in Greece are about
two inches in length, and generally black. I found some at Ther-
mopylae about half an inch longer, and of a dull yellow tint. In
Italy they are extremely common, and enter the houses as soon as
the first autumnal rains commence.
We had not been in the island two hours, when we heard a firing in
the streets. Mr. Poresti, who was with us at the time, immediately
guessed the cause, and said he was convinced that a quarrel had
broken out between the Greeks and the Turks; this event having
been expected for some time, owing to the insolent and overbearing
behaviour of the latter. It is necessary to mention that the Septin-
sular, or Ionian Republic, was at that time under the protection of
the Russians and the Turks, both of which nations had a fleet sta-
tioned in the port of Corfu: the Turkish sailors were sometimes
permitted to land on market-days; and being always armed, paraded
the streets with the greatest insolence. The immediate origin of the
present affair is not well known; but it is supposed that a Turk,
taking improper liberties with the wife of a Corfuote, the husband
resented the affront, in strong language, and was immediately shot
Br. Mead on Poisonous Animals. "- Joann. Leo Histor. Afric, b. 6,