Qo) 
II. Remarks on Scolopendra elecirica, and Sc. fubterranea. By 
| George Shaw, M. D. F. R. S. and L. S. 
Read April 7, 1789. 
MONGST the Englifh infeéts of the genus Scolopendra 
there appears to me to exift a fpecies which is not diftinétly 
defcribed, and I believe is generally confounded with the Scolopendra 
eleétrica of Linnæus, which it fo much refembles that it is not eafy 
to give a criterion by which it may at all times be diftinguifhed 
from it. The moft ftriking difference, as to its external appearance, 
confifts in its being of a much lighter colour than the Scolopendra 
eleëtrica ; the elecirica being of a full brown, or approaching to a 
chefnut colour, while this other fpecies is never much deeper 
than a ftraw colour. Another diftinétive mark is, that it is nar- 
rower and thinner in proportion than the ebria; and though 
I have never accurately counted the number of feet, yet I am 
ftrongly inclined to think that they are more in number than thofe 
of the ekéirica. But what feems moft to indicate a difference of 
fpecies is the very different habitation of this infect; for while the 
Sc. eletrica is found in houfes, and amongft wood, linen, and 
other fubítances, the fpecies or variety 1 am now fpeaking of 
is never found any where but at a confiderable depth below the 
furface of the ground, and principally refides in garden ground, 
- in which it may be generally found about the roots of plants at 
moft feafons of the year, except in very frofty weather. If placed 
in a dry box it will fcarce furvive more than a fingle day, and fre- 
quently 
