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ORDER I. MYRIAPODA.* 



THESE present many disagreements with true In- 

 sects, whence most modern Naturalists have made 

 them to compose a small Class of themselves ; but at 

 present we follow Latreille, in noticing them here. 

 They are destitute of wings ; the body is lengthened, 

 and divided into a number of segments or joints, 

 each of which (usually) bears two hooked and pointed 

 feet. The Order comprises but two Families, which 

 we may almost consider as genera, the Millipedes 

 (Julus^\ and the 'Centipedes (Scolopendra^). The 

 first are distinguished for their slow sliding motion, 

 their half cylindrical form, their very numerous feet, 

 sometimes amounting to more than a hundred, and 

 their habit of rolling themselves into a close spiral 

 when touched. They resort to damp and dark 

 places, such as under stones and moss, and still more 

 commonly beneath the bark and in the wood of de- 

 cayed trees. They are considered harmless, feeding 

 on decomposed vegetable matters. Some species 

 emit a very rank, disagreeable odour; and a large 

 North American species (/. Marginatus) is com- 

 monly reputed poisonous, if it be accidentally bitten 

 or swallowed. 



* Mvgius, myrias, ten thousand (many), and TWS, pous, a foot, 

 t "lowXaj, ionics, an insect with many feet, which crept on walls. 

 J The Greek name of the Centipede. 

 VOL. II. P 



