112 MYRIAPODA. 



Young Afyriapoda are composed of a fow segments only, 

 and with six legs on the anterior segments ; they grow by 

 the addition of new segments posteriorly, and cast their skin a 

 number of times until they become sexually mature. The chief 

 families in the l^hilognatha are the Glotiieriila/, BhmjuUdce, 

 Pdlijdpxiiuihi', and luliihi- or "snake millepedes." Glomerk 

 resembles in appearance and habits the wood-louse. The most 

 destructive are those of the genera Blanjulus, Inlu<, and Poly- 

 ih'!<iini.'<. Blaiijiilu.'i jiulfhellus (fig. 45, a) is one of the most 

 harmful species, and is extremely common. It is nearly half 

 an incli in length, slender, about the thickness of a fair-sized 

 pin ; it is pale pinkish-yeUow in colour, with a double row of 



bright crimson or purple spots 

 on it. It is found in roots, 

 and especially amongst the 

 scales of lilies, which it causes 

 to decay, as well as in most 

 other plants. The young have 

 only a few segments and three 

 pairs of legs, which appear on 

 eiisis: c, antenna of 7. lerresiris. the second, third, and nith Seg- 



ments. After repeated moult- 

 ing tliey reach maturity, when they are composed of about fifty 

 segments. Like lulidae they live upon decaying vegetation 

 and sound plant tissue, and are also said to feed on slugs, 

 snails, worms, and insects. This latter, however. I cannot 

 verify by experience. Two other species are common — namely, 

 the large black hihe.^ fenw^fri.^ (Linn.), with a pointed tail, and 

 the very similar Iiiliit: Loinh'neiisiK (fig. 45, b), which has a 

 round tail. Both feed upon the rootage of ;arions plants. 



lulus breed in iNIay, June, and July. The female forms a 

 nest in the earth for her eggs, usually some distance below the 

 surface : the nest is a hollow spliore, smooth inside, rouoh out- 

 side, and a small opening is left at the top. The size varies 

 from that of a filbert to cob-nut. The eggs, to the number of 



Fit;. 45. — MiLLElEDE-s. 



