158 IXVEKTEBRATE ANIMALS. 



length of half a foot or more, and are consequently able to inflict ex- 

 tremely severe and even dangerous bites. The true Centipedes are 

 further distinguished by the number of legs not being indefinitely 



Fig. 105.— Centipede (Scolopendro). 



great (usually from fifteen to twenty pairs), and by the fact that 

 the antennas are composed of not less than fourteen joints each. 



The Millepedes (fig. 106) are repulsive-looking but perfectly inno- 

 cent animals, -which feed principally upon decaying vegetable matter. 

 The body in the ordinary Millepedes is rounded and worm-like ; 

 and the segments are so amalgamated that each apparent body-ring 



PMg. 1C6. — Millepede (lulus maxiinu^\ a small example, of the natural size. 



gives origin to two pairs of minute thread-like feet. The mouth is 

 destitute of the powerful jaws which are found in the Centipedes, 

 the legs ai-e indefinitely numerous, and the antennae are short, and 

 are composed of no more than six or seven joints each. 



The European Millei^edes are all of small size, but some tropical 

 species attain a length of from six to ten inches. 



A third group, under the name of J'uiiropoda, has been estab- 

 lished for a curious little creature called Pauropus. In this, the 

 body consists of oidy ten segments, and there are no more than nine 

 pairs of legs. The autenn;e are five- jointed, forked, and provided 

 with jointed appendages. There are no trachese, and respiration is 

 carried on by the skin. It is very small, and is found inhabiting 

 decayed leaves and damp situations. 



Lastly, a fourth group, termed Oitychophora, containing only the 

 curious animals of the genus Peripatiis (fig. 107), must be admitted, 

 provisionally at any rate, amongst the Myriapoda. The species of 

 Peripatus are worm-like animals found in moist situations or under 



