5 16 THE CENTIPEDE 



sticks after remaining some time are taken up, ge- 

 nerally with an animal adhering to each. They are 

 gently drawn out of the mud, and a basket is put 

 under them to receive the animals, which always 

 drop off when brought to the surface of the water. 



THE SCOLOPENDRA*. 



THE Scolopendra have tapering antennae, and 

 two thread-shaped feelers united between the jaws. 

 The body is long, depressed, and consists of nu- 

 merous transverse segments; and there are as many- 

 legs on each side as there are segments of the body. 



They live chiefly on other insects ; and inhabit 

 decayed wood, or hollows under stones. The spe- 

 cies that frequent the hot climates are large, and 

 many of them very venomous. 



THE CENTIPEDE. 



None of the Insect tribe, the Scorpions excepted, 

 are so formidable in appearance as the Centipede. 

 It is found in the East and West Indies, and in va- 

 rious parts of Africa, inhabiting chiefly the woods, 

 where it is preyed upon by the different species of 

 snakes. It is, however, sometimes found in houses, 

 and is said to be so common in particular districts 

 that the inhabitants are obliged to have the feet of 

 their beds placed in vessels of water, to prevent 



Shaw's Nat. Mis, tab. 9. 



