CHAPTER XIV 



THE MYRIAPODA OR CENTIPEDES AND MILLIPEDES 



Millipedes. — The myriapods are terrestrial arthropods 

 commonly known as centipedes and millipedes or wireworms. 

 The body of a millipede is sub-cylindrical, and consists of from 

 about twenty-five to more than one hundred segments, accord- 

 ing to the species. Almost every segment bears two pairs of 



Fig. 72. — A millipede. (After Koch.) 



appendages (Fig. 72), and has probably arisen by the fusion of 

 two segments. The mouth parts are a pair of mandibles and a 

 pair of maxillae. One pair of antenna; and either simple or aggre- 

 gated eyes are usually present. The breathing tubes (tracheae) 

 arise in tufts from pouches which open just in front of the legs. 



The millipedes move very slowly, in spite of their numerous 

 legs. Some of them are able to roll themselves into a spiral or 

 ball. They live in dark, moist places and feed principally on 

 vegetable substances. 



Centipedes. — The body of a centipede is flattened dorso- 

 ventrally, and consists of from fifteen to over one hundred and 

 fifty segments, which bear each one pair of legs. Centipedes 

 are swift-moving creatures. Many of them live under the bark 

 ol logs or under stones (Fig. 73). The poisonous centipedes of 



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