Mr. Newport on the Class Myriapoda, Order Chilopoda. 379 



Scol. Brandtiana, Gerv. in Ann. Sc, Nat. Janv. 1837. Lucas, Hist. Nat. Anim. Art. torn. iv. 



p. 344. 

 Scol. platypus, Brandt, I.e. p. 61. Newp. I. c, p. 98. ♦ 



Hab. In Insulis Caribaeis. {v. in Mus. Brit.) 



This species very closely resembles S. cingulata in its general appearance. The spinulae on 

 the inferior surface of the posterior legs are arranged in three series, which alternate 

 with each other, so that, as remarked by M. Brandt, who first correctly described this 

 species, they form with each other a succession of triangles. The preanal scale is very 

 short, somewhat quadrate, with the posterior margin very slightly rounded. The lateral 

 appendages also are short, with a slightly produced apex, bifid. 



This appears to be a very common species of the West India islands, and 

 perhaps also of the whole of tropical America, and most certainly is the Sco- 

 lopendra platypus of Brandt, whose specimens were obtained from Jamaica 

 and Havannah. It is the one to which Linneeus gave the name morsitans, 

 but confounded with a great variety of other species. There is no specimen 

 of it now existing in the Linnean cabinet, but it is evidently the smallest of 

 two species described by Brown in his ' History of Jamaica.' In a copy of 

 Brown's work, now in the library of the Linnean Society, and formerly belong- 

 ing to Linnaeus, there is Linnseus's autograph name " Scolopendra morsitans'''' 

 on the margin of the page, opposite to Brown's description, " Scolopendra 1 . pe- 

 dibus quadriginta ;" and Linnaeus refers to Brown's work in his copy of the 

 ' Systema Naturae,' now also in the library of the Linnean Society. 



In naming the species S. morsitans, Linnaeus probably had in view the fol- 

 lowing observations of Brown on this species : — 



" This insect is reckoned very venomous ; the prongs of the forceps are very 

 strong, bending and pointed, which enable them to bite very hard, and they 

 probably emit some venomous juice also. Some who have been bit by them 

 informed me that the parts are very painful for two or three hours, and turn 

 frequently of a livid colour. I have seen them often kill a cockroach with a 

 single nip." 



Var.} «. Dentibus labialibus 10 distinctis nigris ; margine dentali arcuato. 

 Hab. In Demerara. {v. in Mus. Brit.) 



Var.} /3. Dentibus labialibus 10 subacutis. 

 Hab. In China? {v. in Mus, Brit.) 



