SOME TROUBLESOME INVADERS 



357 



across the floor, it is usually the result of having been 

 disturbed in its hiding place behind furniture or other 

 objects with a consequent hurried and rather blundering 

 attempt to find another nook in which to ensconce itself. 

 It may run rapidly for a little ways, then stop suddenly 

 and remain motionless for a 

 few moments, again quickly 

 resuming its rapid run across 

 the floor. In these apparently 

 rather aimless bursts of speed 

 it has the somewhat disconcert- 

 ing habit of often heading 

 straight for the observer, much 

 to the consternation of the 

 latter, especially if it be a 

 woman or child. 



This centipede has a narrow, 

 slender body about one inch in 

 length in some specimens and 

 slightly more than that in 

 others. The body is greenish- 

 yellow in color and the back is 

 marked with three dark longi- 

 tudinal stripes. From the head 

 there extend two long, thread- 

 like antenna? and along each 



side of the body are fifteen long, slender legs, thus 

 making fifteen pairs of appendages with which to move 

 about (Fig. 124). Small wonder that it can move with 

 considerable celerity and rapidity. The last or hind 

 pair of legs is nearly twice as long as the others and ex- 

 tends backward much as the antennae extend forward. 



FIG. 124. The house 

 centipede. (XI.) 



