THE HOUSE CENTIPEDE. a 
Later many direct observations have confirmed this inference, and in 
captivity, on the authority of Prof. Hargitt, it feeds readily on roaches, 
house flies, and other insects. Miss Murtfeldt reports also having 
observed specimens devouring small moths. During the act of 
devouring a moth they kept their numerous long legs vibrating with 
incredible swiftness, so as to give the appearance of a hazy spot or 
space surrounding the fluttering moth.' It is supposed also to feed 
on the bedbug, and doubtless will eat any insect which it captures, 
and its quickness and agility leave few insects safe from it. 
Fletcher and Howard have observed its mode of capturing the 
croton bug, which is interesting as illustrating the habits of this 
centipede and its allies. In this instance the centipede sprang over 
its prey, inclosing and caging it with its many legs. In its habit of 
springing after its prey this centipede is similar to spiders, which it 
also resembles in its rapacious habits. It would therefore seem to be 
a very efficient enemy of many of our house pests. The common idea 
that it probably feeds on household goods and woolens or other 
clothing has no basis in fact. 
THE BITE OF THE HOUSE CENTIPEDE. 
The popular belief is that this centipede is extremely pcisonous, 
and, as it belongs with the poisonous group of centipedes, it can not 
be puecrioded but that the bite of the creature is probably somewhat 
poisonous as well as painful, though the seriousness of the results 
will be dependent, as in all similar cases, on the susceptibility of the 
patient. The poison injected in the act ce biting is probably merely 
to assist in numbing and quieting its victim, and in spite of its 
abundance in houses in the North, and for many years its much 
greater abundance in the South, very few cases are recorded of its 
having bitten any human being, and it is very questionable whether 
it would ever, unprovoked, attack any large animal. If pressed 
with the bare foot or hand, or if caught between sheets in beds, 
this, like almost any other insect, will unquestionably bite im self- 
defense, and the few cases on record indicate that severe swelling 
and pain may result from the poison injected. Prompt dressing 
of the wound with ammonia will greatly alleviate the disagreeable 
symptoms. 
THE EARLY STAGES OF THE CENTIPEDE. 
Little is known of the early life history of this myriapod. It is 
found in the adult state in houses during practically the entire year. 
Half-grown individuals are also found frequently during the summer. 
A newly-born specimen, found by H. G. Hubbard in the insectary 
1Murtfeldt, Mary E. Entomological Memoranda for 1898. U.S. Dept. Agr., Div. Ent., Insect Life, 
vol. 6, No. 3, p. 257-259, February, 1894. ‘“‘ Scutigera forceps and Callimorpha,”’ p. 258. 
