:v\ 



Spirostreptes cinttatus. 



Spirostreptes am/nulatipes. 

 Julys forrestris. 



length than the twelfth of an inch. It is found under the bark of trees, in clefts of 

 walls, and in moss, and may be known by the twelve pairs of feet, the bunches of little 

 scales on the sides, and the white pencil at the end of the tail. 



IN the above illustration are given three examples of the curious family Julidse. These 

 creatures are very like those which have just been described and figured, but may be 

 known from them, by the fact that the edges of the segments are not flattened and lengthened, 

 but are continued in an unbroken circle. They feed mostly on decaying vegetable matters, 

 but have been seen to eat dead earthworms and molluscs. 



They all exhale a peculiar and rather unpleasant odour, which is caused by a fluid 

 secretion in certain little sacs along the sides, two on each ring. The little apertures 

 through which this scented fluid exudes maybe seen on examining the creatures closely, 

 and by some of the earlier writers they were mistaken for spiracles, the sacs themselves 

 being thought to be the breathing apparatus. The real spiracles may be seen on the under 

 sides of the animal, close to the insertion of the feet. Like the preceding creatures, they can 

 roll themselves up, but, on account of the length of their body, they can only assume a 

 spiral form, as is shown by the left-hand figure in the illustration. 



The lower and smallest figure represents the common MILLEPEDE of our gardens, shown 

 of its natural size. This little creature is very plentiful, and may be found under decaying 

 wood, or below stones. Its movements are very curious. The little delicate feet, looking 

 like white threads proceeding from below, move in a regularly graduated order, so that, as 

 the creature glides along, a succession of waves seem to pass over its body. On being 

 touched it immediately stops, and coils itself into a spiral form, lying necessarily on 

 its side. 



The development of the Julidse is curious and interesting. In the early part of the 

 spring, the female deposits sixty or seventy eggs in the earth, digging a hole expressly for 

 their Deception. Here they lie until they are hatched, which occurs in about three weeks' 

 time, when the young Julidse make their way into the world. They are then without any 



