124 GENERAL ZOOLOGY 



Millepeds. Other elongate forms called millepeds (Spirob'- 

 olus. Fig. 66) may be distinguished from the centipeds by the 

 more cylindrical body. Millepeds also possess a greater num- 

 ber of legs than centipeds, each somite, with the exception of 

 several coming directly after the head, apparently bearing two 

 pairs of legs. They live in damp places and feed on living or 

 decaying vegetable matter ; they are entirely harmless. Many 

 have the power of coiling themselves up when disturbed. 

 The larvae, when first hatched, have few somites, and but 

 three pairs of legs. 



Definition of Myriapoda (Gr. myria, many ; pous, foot). 

 The centipeds and millepeds are included in the class Myri- 

 ap'oda. Myriapods are distinguished from insects and arach- 

 nids by the greater number of somites and appendages. They 

 breathe through spiracles placed along the sides of the body. 

 After hatching from the egg, the young develop without any 

 marked metamorphosis. It is likely that centipeds and mille- 

 peds are not in reality as closely allied as might seem from 

 the external appearance. 



