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Millipedes and Centipedes. 



Millipedes and Centipedes. 



Fig. 3. 



Figs. I and 2, Millipedes (i fiilas pulchellus, 2 Polydesmus complanatus)^ 

 Fig. 3, Centipede {Geophiiiis sabterraneus) n 



Millipedes (Figs. 1 and 2) and centipedes (Fig. 3) belong to a 

 group of the animal kingdom known as the Myriapoda. These 

 animals are recognised by having legs on every ring or segment 

 of the body. In the case of the millipedes there are two pairs 

 of legs to each segment ; in the centipedes, one pair only. It is 

 important to notice these differences, as the millipedes are in- 

 jurious, and the centipedes are beneficial. 



They are found in all manner of places, both in the field and 

 in the garden, and are especially attracted by decaying vege- 

 tation, such as heaps of leaf mould, rotting stalks, &c. They 

 are also found crawling about under the bark of trees and in 

 the soil. The difference in structure is also accompanied by a 

 difference in habits ; centipedes are very active and are car- 

 nivorous, whereas millipedes are mostly herbivorous, and live 

 upon sound and decaying vegetable matter. The millipedes 

 have the mouth formed for chewing, there being powerful 

 biting mandibles with which to devour the roots of plants. 

 Centipedes are provided with poison claws. The bite of some 

 centipedes in the tropics is very poisonous to man, but none are 



