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Summary. The courtship and mating of the scorpion, Opisthophthalmus latimanus, are described. In normal courtship the male initially grasps the female with his claws and then grips her chelicerae with his own, relinquishing his hold upon her pedipalps. In this position the animals perform a “promenade à deux”. It is suggested that one function of the “promenade” is concerned with obtaining a clear area suitable for the deposition of a spermatophore. The male deposits a spermatophore on the ground and pulls the female over it, so that part of the spermatophore enters her genital aperture. The pair then remain still for about five minutes; then they break apart. The events accompanying unsuccessful courtship are described and suggestions are made as to the origin or significance of certain aspects of the behaviour pattern. The similarity between the mechanism of insemination of this scorpion and the pseudoscorpions is considered.

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Abstract1. The stridulation of the scorpions Opisthopthalmus latimanus and O. nitidiceps is described; one of the two mechanisms previously suggested for sound production is shown to contribute almost nothing to the noise. An examination of the responses of a number of small mammals to the stridulation suggests that its biological significance is that of a threat. 2. The caudal stridulation of Parabuthus planicauda is described and it is suggested that it may have arisen from an intention movement of stinging. 3. Reports of stridulation in other genera are examined and it is concluded that the stridulatory movements of scorpions may, in general, be regarded as elaborated from intention movements or displacement activities associated with threat.