ORDER DEC APOD A. 143 



different form, applied on the mouth, and divided into two 

 branches, the exterior of which has the form of a little an- 

 tenna, composed of a peduncle, and a setaceous, and many- 

 articulated stem. It has been compared to a whip, (palpus 

 flagelliformis) . The two anterior feet, sometimes even the 

 two or four following ones, are in the form of talons. The 

 last articulation but one is dilated, compressed, and in the 

 form of a hand. Its inferior extremity is prolonged into a 

 conical point, representing a sort of finger, opposed to another, 

 formed by the last articulation, or the tarsus proper. This 

 last is mobile, and has received the name of thumb (pollexj 

 the other, or the one which is fixed, is thought to be the 

 index. These two toes are also called mordentes. The last 

 is sometimes very short, in the form of a simple tooth, 

 and the other folds underneath. The hand, as well as the 

 fingers, will form for us the forceps, properly so called. The 

 preceding, or antepenultimate articulation is denominated 

 carpus. 



The respective proportions, and the direction of the loco- 

 motive organs are such as to enable these animals to walk 

 sideways or backwards. 



Except the rectum, which opens at the end of the tail, all 

 the viscera are enclosed in the thorax, so that this portion of 

 the body represents the thorax and abdomen of the insects. 

 The stomach, supported by a cartilaginous skeleton, is armed 

 internally with five osseous, and denticulated pieces, which 

 complete the mastication of the aliments. We may see there, 

 at the time of moulting, which occurs towards the end of 

 spring, two calcareous round bodies, convex on one side, and 

 plane on the other, which are vulgarly called craVs eyes, 

 which, as they disappear after the moulting, give grounds to 

 presume, that they furnish the matter for the renovation of the 

 testa. The liver consists of two large clusters of vessels, 

 closed at one end; and filled with a bilious humour, which they 



