143 



First Contribution to a Knowledge of the Myriopoda of Kansas, 



By F. W. CBAGIN, Sc. B. 



The present Contribution does not cover a moiety of the Myrwpodfi of 

 Kansas, nor does it even embrace all of the genera contained in the collec- 

 tions of the Survey. It will be followed shortly by supplementary Con- 

 tributions. 



CERMAT1D.K. 



Ormatia forceps, Raf. This lively "wall-sweeper" is certainly distrib- 

 uted throughout the State. 1 have met with it frequently in Shawnee and 

 Barber counties, and have received several Labette Co. specimens from Dr. 

 W. S. Nevvlon. Irs abundance, in connection with its bizarre appearance 

 and " promptness" of action, make it, an object of popular observation and 

 dread. It seems to feel equally at home in houses, in woods, and in shady 

 ravines. 



UT1IOB11D.K. 



XeolitliobiiiK inordax, L. Koch. Six specimens from the bluffs of Mul- 

 berry Creek, near Sun City, and one from a high hill about ten miles south- 

 west of Medicine Lodge; all found under stones. 



SCOLOP15NDRIDJE. 



Kcolopemlra heros, Grd. A specimen of this large centipede, taken sev- 

 eral years since in Turkey Creek valley, in the northeastern part of Barber 

 county, and measuring 7.25 inches in length, has been presented to the 

 Survey by Mr. C. H. Douglass. A specimen 8 inches in length, loaned the 

 Survey by Dr. S. M. Kessler, was taken in the Indian Territory nut fa/ 

 south of the Kansas line. 



From all the testimony that I have been able to gather, it set'ms that 

 the bite of this centipede is sometimes fatal, but that its more common ef- 

 fect is a bad sore, resulting in a sloughing of the fllesh from the affected 

 part and leaving a more or less cavernous scar. It was a large centipede, 

 and probably a specimen of this species, whose bite resulted in the death of 

 Mr. Crouch, south of Dodge City two or three vears since. The circum- 

 stances, which were as follows, are vouched for by various residents of 

 southwestern Kansas: Mr. Crouch was one of a party in pursuit of a 

 criminal. Sitting down to rest in the shade, arid being somewhat warm, 

 he had taken off his hat. when a centipede dropped upon and bit the top 

 of his head, causing his death within less than an hour. 



This seems to be an exceptional case, as it. is not a very unusual thing in 

 the southwestern territories to meet with a man who bears a great hollow 

 scar which he asserts is the relic of a centipede's bite. 



Fortunately L. IKTOX is not of general di.-tnbuuon in Kansas, and ap- 

 parently finds its northern limit in our south-central and southwestern 

 counties. Old settlers of Barber county say that large centipedes are less 



