CENTIPEDES. 229 



A large black species of julus, or millipede, 

 is very common here, often to be found coiled 

 up round the branches of trees or on the surface 

 of the trunk itself, seemingly holding on by 

 nothing, as no legs are visible. They look very 

 curious whilst walking, as only half their legs in 

 alternate batches appear to be in motion at the 

 same time. They are very destructive to young 

 roots, and I believe are also insect-feeders, but 

 have not the formidable jaws of the centipedes, 

 whose bite is poisonous. All the centipedes I 

 have seen here are a beautiful shining bluish- 

 grey. One I found, measuring five inches, had 

 caught a lizard much larger than himself, which 

 he was devouring in a most horribly ferocious 

 manner. He finished his repast with spirits of 

 wine. 



I have only seen one worm, a small thin light 

 blue species, during my long stay on this coast, 

 but perhaps that is owing to the presence of so 

 many moles, whose favourite food they are. 



Ticks of all sizes swarm in the grass, and are 

 excessively unpleasant should they fasten ou the 



