110 CLASS INSECTA. 



large, and remains in the open air, being found in great 

 quantities in calcareous soils. Degeer has observed an iulus 

 gnawing the larva of a fly, and partly eating it. It would 

 therefore seem probable that these insects are of a carnivor- 

 ous nature ; nevertheless, the most common opinion is, that 

 they feed on earth. Several species, but very small ones, 

 also gnaw fruits, the leaves of potage plants, and especially 

 those which fall to the ground and are decomposing. 



The iuli are oviparous. On opening the gravid females, 

 the ovaries are found to be full of white eggs, tolerably 

 bulky. Degeer found on the young, at the moment in which 

 they were disclosed, only six feet, which were attached in 

 pairs to the first three rings. The total number of rings at 

 this time, is but seven or eight ; but, in four days time, four 

 other pairs of feet, and some additional rings at the posterior 

 extremity shoot forth. The antennae, which at first had but 

 four apparent articulations, now have six. The naturalist 

 just mentioned did not observe any vestige of spoils near 

 these insects, but it seems probable, notwitstanding, that they 

 change their skin to acquire the development of these new 

 parts. The exactitude of the researches of Degeer, can 

 hardly permit us to doubt of the truth of this observation. 

 The young iuli may then be considered as undergoing a 

 metamorphosis, since the number of their organs of motion, 

 and of the segments of the body, increases with age^ and 

 doubtless by the means of successive moultings. 



This genus is very numerous in species, and one belonging 

 to America is very remarkable for its size (Tuhts maxi- 

 rmis). 



The family of the Chilopoda are distinguished from the 

 preceding, not only by the characters given in the text, but 

 by the swiftness of their movements. They are carnivorous, 

 and conceal themselves under stones, old beams, the bark of 

 trees, in the earth, in dunghills, &c. They feed on living 



