on some British Millipedes. 285 



complanatus, Brachydesmus superus, Julus terrestris and 

 sabulosus, and B laniulus guttulatus. Contradictory accounts 

 of the behaviour of these and related species have already 

 been given by a goodly number of writers, and often the 

 least convincing ones have found their way into recent text- 

 books. 



The Millipedes may be found wherever their safety against 

 flood and drought is secured, and where the soil is such as to 

 allow them to recede during extremes of heat and cold. 

 In general they feed on decaying matter, animal and vege- 

 table, though the Julids like fresh vegetables. Glomeris shows 

 a preference for oak-plantations, while the Polydesmids, 

 Blaniulus, and Atractosoma are commonly found near human 

 habitations, and are distinctly refuse-eaters. I have taken as 

 many as twenty Brachydesmids on a putrefying worm, while 

 decaying rhubarb-leaves strewn in ditches will soon attract 

 a gathering of Blaniuli if there happen to be any in the 

 neighbourhood. 



Most of the literature of a controversial nature has, however, 

 been written in connexion with the breeding arrangements of 

 these animals, and especially with the mode of construction of 

 the nest and moulting recess so characteristic of the Milli- 

 pedes. In these respects, as well as in anatomical structure, 

 the Glomerids differ widely from the Polydesmids and Julids. 



Glomeris limhata ( = marginata). 



The breeding-period extends from March till the end of 

 July, but is subject to much variation, a late spring or the 

 early advent of settled hot weather restricting the limits con- 

 siderably. In spring Glomeris is usually found in couples, 

 or perhaps still more commonly in threes — two males and one 

 female. The male is much smaller than the female. The 

 copulatory feet are the modified legs of the penultimate seg- 

 ment, while the female opening lies between the second pair 

 of legs. Copulation takes place, as described by Humbert 

 and vom Rath, by apposition of the pair in the head to tail 

 position. As the male opening is situated on the second 

 segment, a preliminary impregnation of the copulatory feet 

 must take place. 



Egg-laying is an interrupted process, and in nature the 

 same female may lay her eggs in small groups in several 

 places, usually thinly buried in the loose soil, and always 

 under cover of moss or dead leaves. Neither in nature nor 

 in captivity have I 3een the deep burying of the eggs 

 described by vom Rath. When an egg is about to be laid, 



