338 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF [April, 



tion showed none in the actual process. The nuclei of both large and 

 small organisms were essentially alike. 



The irregidar form and multi-nucleate condition of this sporozoan 

 places it in the My^sosporidia. Its occurrence as a free-living form in 

 eitherjthe body-cavity or intestine of an arthropod seems to warrant 

 placing it, at least provisionally, in the genus Nosema. The specific 

 name geophili is appropriate in view of the host. 



The observation is interesting in view of the fact that this is the first 

 recorded case of a myxosporidian being found in a myriapod. It is 

 also worthy of note that while Geophilus is thus shown to be parasitized 

 by representatives of three orders of Sporozoa, infection is only occa- 

 sional. Leger, describing Rhopalonia geophili, a gregarine, says that 

 it is very rare and I have never yet encountered it. I have seen the 

 unidentified coccidian mentioned above in one or two other hosts, but 

 the myxosporidian in only this one case. This comparative immunity 

 is doubtless due to the solitary habit of the centipede. 



