

Polydesmus tpUndidus. 



Polydeswut granuldtus. (New species.) 



WE now come to another genus, termed Polydesrnus. This term is composed of t\ 

 Greek words, the former signifying " many," and the latter a " bundle," in allusion to tl 

 numerous groups of limbs arranged along the body. In all these creatures the body 

 covered with a hard skin, and the segments are flattened and lengthened at the sides 

 The upper figure represents a handsome species found in India, which mostly attains tl 

 length of two inches. The colour and general aspect of this species are rather striking 

 Independently of the very deep depression of the segments, which has a very stran^ 

 effect, the colour is bold and striking, being deep and very rich reddish brown, diversifie 

 by an angular spot of bright yellow placed in the hinder angles of each segment, Tl 

 body is smooth and slightly shining. When alarmed it is able to roll itself into 

 partial spiral, so as to present merely the hard shelly armour to the foe, and to shield tl 

 limbs within the coil 



THE lower figure represents a species belonging to this genus, but which has not yet 

 been described. I propose to give it the specific name " granulatus," on account of the 

 peculiar appearance of the body, which is thickly covered with very minute raised 

 tubercles of a white colour, such tubercles being called granules in scientific nomenclature. 

 Perhaps I can give a better notion of the idea expressed by the word " granulated," b] 

 mentioning that it could be rightly applied to such substances as shagreen. 



The general colour of this species is rather dark drab, and it may be at once recognisec 

 by the peculiar form of the segments, which are flattened and elongated even more thai 

 usual in this genus, and are set at their extremities with three distinct teeth. The lengtl 

 of the specimen from which this description is taken is rather more than three inches 

 It is in the collection of the British Museum. 



A species of this genus (Polydesmus complanatus] is found in England, and is nc 

 uncommon in gardens. It is about three-quarters of an inch in length, is very narrow 

 and has thirty-one pairs of feet. The genus is a very large one, and contains a gi 

 number of exotic species. 



Before passing to the next large family of myriapods, we may mention the prett 

 little PENCIL-TAIL (Polyxenus lagtirus), a tiny creature which seldom attains a greater 



