A YOUNG NA TUMALIST. 



131 



to touch them. The centipedes, surprised at being disturb- 

 ed, rolled themselves up ; their pale blue color somewhat 

 diminishing the repugnance which their appearance general- 

 ly excites. It was not without some hesitation that Lucien, 

 encouraged by Sumichrast, ventured to place one on the 

 palm of his hand ; the insect gradually unrolled its articula- 

 tions, each of which was provided with two pairs of feet 

 ending in hooks, but its walk was so slow as rather to dis. 

 appoint the young observer. 



" What is the use of having forty-four feet," he cried, " if 

 the centipede can not get on faster than a carabus, which 

 only has six ?" 



L'Encuerado could alone explain this mystery ; but still ' 

 he kept silence. 



" Are these creatures poisonous, M. Sumichrast ?" 



" It is said so ; but some species — that, for instance, which 

 you are examining — may be handled without danger." 



" Here is a little centipede with only twelve legs." 

 . " It has only just come out of the egg ; their rings in- 

 crease in number as they grow older, and this is one of 

 their peculiarities." 



" How hard the rings are ! they are almost like armor." 



" It is armor, in fact ; the scolojoendroe form a line of de- 

 markation, so to speak, separating insects from crustaceans; 

 centipedes are not very distant relations of lobsters." 



"Look, papa! I have just found a chocolate-colored 

 worm, which looks like a centipede." 



" That's not a worm ; it is an iulus, first cousin to the 

 centipede. Don't take it up in your hand, for it will im- 

 pregnate your fingers with a sickening odor." 



We resumed our progress towards our encampment, 

 Lucien and l'Encuerado preceding us. The w T eather was 

 • w T arm without being suffocating ; the slanting rays of the 

 sun were moderated by the foliage, the birds were singing, 



