MANUAL OF NATURAL HISTORY. 263 



a tubular beak formed of the labial palpi ; 

 mandibles elongate, flattened, serrated ; body 

 compressed, covered with a hard shining skin, 

 clothed with rows of sharp bristles ; segments 

 continuous ; fore-legs placed under the head ; 

 hind-legs formed for leaping; coxae very 

 large ; tibise setose ; tarsal claws double. 



AIOLOPODS. 



The Aiolopods comprise an extensive group of 

 annulose animals which breathe like the Insects by 

 means of tracheal tubes, but which undergo no regu- 

 lar metamorphosis ; they are distinguished from the 

 Arachnidans by the possession of a distinct head 

 with two antennae, and by the varied nature of their 

 feet ; like the Crustaceans they cast their skin, but 

 are known at once from those animals by the ab- 

 sence of gills or respiratory feet. They are princi- 

 pally terrestrial in their habits, solitary, and usually 

 of uninviting aspect. 



The Myriapods are distinguished by the absence 

 of a regular metamorphosis, and the large number 

 of nearly equal-sized segments into which their 

 bodies are divided. They comprise an assemblage 

 of curious, though little known, animals, and are 

 found in all parts of the globe. The best known 

 among them are the Centipedes (Scolopendra), 

 dreaded in tropical countries on account of their 

 venomous bite. These Myriapods are easily known 



