ONISCUS. 
501 
Quadrupeds called Armadillos; frequently remain- 
ing in this state for a very considerable length of 
time, or so long as it is any ways disturbed. 
Swammerdam relates a ludicrous mistake of a 
servant maid, who, finding in the garden a great 
many in this globular state,, imagined she had dis- 
covered some handsome materials for a necklace, 
and betook herself to stringing them with great 
care; but on suddenly perceiving them unfold, 
was seized with a panic, and ran shrieking into 
the house. 
Though considered as of but slight importance 
in the present practice of phj^sic, these animals 
once maintained a very respectable station in 
the materia medica, under the title of Millepedes ; 
being regarded as aperient, resolvent, &c. &c. 
They were ordered in case^ of jaundice, asthma, 
and many other disorders, and were either taken 
living, being swallowed, like pills, in their con- 
tracted state, or variously enveloped in syrops 
and marmalades; but were more generally re- 
duced to a powder and thus mixed with other in- 
gredients. 
Oniscus aquaticus is a native of the clearer kind 
of stagnant waters, and is of the general size and 
colour of the Oniscus Asellus, but of a more 
lengthened form, and with longer limbs in pro- 
portion; the two last legs being bifid. In the 
female the ovary is very distinguishable, in the 
form of a large inflated valve beneath the body. 
This species is viviparous, and of a considerably 
prolific nature. 
