22 SCOLOPENDRID^. 



CASE Section Chilopoda. 



Mouth provided with foot jaws. 



Family SCOLOPENDRID^ (Centipeds). 



GeophilidtE.— Small, long, and narrow species, with numerous feet (40 or 

 more). Eyes none. Antennae with 14 joints. 



No. I. Mecistocephalus punctifrons {Newp.). — 1. Specimen (i). 



This is an East Indian species, bearing considerable similarity 

 to our own British kinds. 



Nos. Geophilus longicornis [Leach).— 2. Specimens (2); 3. Enlarged figure of 

 ^' 3- ditto. 



Geophilus longicornis, magnified. 



This is a common species in Britain. The insect itself is like 

 a long yellowish or whitish thread, a couple of inches or so in 

 length, with a. multitude of minute feet on each side. It 

 moves along with an undulating and sinuous motion. It has 

 no eyes. 



The female sits upon her eggs like a snake, coiling herself round 

 them in a little cell, which she makes for them in the ground, and 

 according to Newport's observations never leaves them until they 

 are hatched. The period of incubation is about a fortnight or 

 three weeks. 



