180 SIR JOHN LUBBOCK ON PATJROPUS. 



A second species of the genus was found with the first. It is, 

 however, much rarer, and difi'ers in the form of the antennae. 



Sir John then proceeded to make some remarks on the syste- 

 matic position of the Myriapoda, which he regarded as forming a 

 class, and he expressed the opinion that the genus now described 

 approached the other Articulata more nearly than any Myriapod 

 hitherto known. ISTor did he think that Fmoropus could be placed 

 in either of the two great groups of Myriapoda, which may be 

 characterize d as follows : — 



Chilopoda. Antennae with not fewer than fourteen segments. 

 One pair modified into powerful footjaws. Generative organs 

 opening at the posterior end of the body. Legs in single pairs. 



DiPLOPODA. Antennae with not moj-e than seven segments. 

 No footjaws. Generative organs opening at the anterior part of 

 the body. Legs, after the first six, arranged in double pairs. 



Pauropus, at first sight, looks most like a Chilopod. Its ac- 

 tivity, the compactness of its body, the dorsal plate, and elon- 

 gated hind legs give it much the appearance of a very minute 

 Lithohius. A closer examination, however, does not favour this 

 view. The antennae have only five segments ; the powerful foot- 

 jaws are absent ; and the generative organs appear to open 

 anteriorly. 



Nor can Pauropus be classed among the Diplopods. It is true 

 tliat the eight posterior legs correspond to four dorsal plates; 

 nevertheless it is evident that in reality each pair belongs to a 

 separate segment, as may clearly be seen if we look at the animal 

 from beneath. In one sense, this is true also of the Diplopods ; 

 but they invariably have the legs attached by double pairs, while 

 those of Pauropus are equidistant. Moreover, in all Diplopods the 

 first three pairs of legs are distinguished from the rest by pos- 

 sessing each a distinct segment, whereas in Pauropus this is the 

 case with the first pair 'only. In Diplopods, again, the legs are 

 equal, and terminate in a simple claw, which is not the case in 

 Pauropus. The mouth-parts, though very difierent from those of 

 - the Chilopods, are perhaps even less like those of the Diplopods. 

 The eyes and antennae are also very diiFerent, 



Thus, then, Pauropus differs greatly from either of the two 

 great orders of Centipedes. It forms a connecting link not only 

 between the Myriapods and other Articulata, but also between 

 the Chilopoda and Diplopoda. 



