THE JUL US TERRESTRIS. 4ig 



divided into segments than the anterior, the first five segments 

 being most distinctly marked. On the fourth day the sixth and 

 seventh segments are more defined. New segments are formed 

 gradually in the membrane which connects the seventh with the 

 eighth segment, and this last is always the last segment but one 

 throughout the life of the Myriapod (Fig. 4). On the ninth day the 

 changes have advanced much farther. Not only have the future new 

 segments become more distinct, but transverse depressions are also 

 seen on the dorsal surface of the original segments, showing their 

 division into double ones, as in the perfect animal. The rudi- 

 ments of legs are now further developed, and their transparent 

 further extremities are seen to be applied closely together and 

 extended along the ventral surface of the body as in the nymphs or 

 pupae of true insects. The antennae and ocelli are more apparent, 

 and the embryo itself has increased at least one-third of its original 

 dimensions. It has thus continued to grow through nine suc- 

 ceeding days since the bursting of its shell without any visible 

 means of nourishment, the nutriment supplied by the yolk having 

 been exhausted before that occurrence. It becomes a matter of 

 inquiry, then, from whence is it nourished .-• whether it has already 

 sufficient materials derived from the &gg and stored up within 

 itself for its future development, or whether the external enclosing 

 membrane may not still contribute to the function of nutrition 

 by absorbing fluid condensed from the air of the humid locality 

 in which it resides ? " The probability of this last supposition," 

 writes Mr. Newport, " is somewhat countenanced by the fact that 

 I have constantly observed the membranes of the embryo at this 

 period covered with microscopic drops of fluid, but whether this 

 is fluid condensed on the membranes from the atmosphere of the 

 dwelling, or whether it results from the transudation of that which 

 was once contained within the membrane, remains for future 

 inquiry." It is to be observed, however, that the weight of the 

 embryo was not determined repeatedly by Mr. Newport, and 

 this is to be regretted, because it would have settled the matter 

 at issue. With regard to the internal construction of the body 

 at this period, it was observed that the alimentary canal was 

 nearly complete, some liver ducts were seen, and the great di- 

 visions of the digestive organs also. 



BB 2 



