CHAPTER XII. 

 MILLEPEDES AND CENTIPEDES.* 



The millepedes and centipedes are examples of the class 

 Myriopoda, so called from tlie numerous feet they possess. 

 If we examine a common millepede, called Julus, which 

 may be found under sticks and dead leaves in damp places, 

 its body will be seen to consist of a head with short anten- 

 nae succeeded by a large number of cylindrical segments, 

 each bearing two pairs of feet, and not grouped into a 

 thoracic and abdominal region. It will be seen that besides 

 the antennae there are but two pairs of mouth-appendages, 

 the first pair being jaws, the second forming the under lip ; 

 while the feet are inserted close together, and the eyes are 

 compound. When disturbed or at rest the body is coiled. 



We may then compare with the millepede a centipede. 

 Its body is seen to be flattened both above and below, the 

 feet arising from the sides of the body. On examining the 

 head, besides the antennae, the large curved poison-jaws are 

 the most noticeable appendages; these are perforated at the 

 end, while in the base is a large poison-gland. The small 

 Lithobius is poisonous to insects, but the bite of the centi- 

 pede, particularly the large tropical species, is more deadly 

 than the sting of tlie scorpion. Between the antennae and 

 poison-jaws are three pairs of jaws (Fig. 97«, 1, 2, 3), quite 

 unlike those of insects. The eyes of centipedes are usually 

 simple, but arranged in a group on each side of the head. 

 When hatched the young Julus has a short body, with but 

 three pairs of legs ; hence before reaching maturity it un- 

 dergoes a metamorphosis. On the other hand, the centi- 

 pede when hatched has nearly the same number of seg- 

 ments as the adult. The Myriopoda breathe by air-tubes, 

 which open externally through spiracles (C, sp). 



* See Wood's Myriopoda- of Nortla America. 1865. 



