ADVENTURES OF A THOUSAND-LEGS. 
95 
any fate.” Like their brother worms with legs less 
numerous, they are supremely ignorant of the 
sayings and doings of the powers above, and pre- 
ferring the dry sunny paths to the scented bean 
fields and the shelter of the cotton-plants, they get 
crushed under the Juggernaut wheels of Chinese 
hand-barrows, or beneath the ponderous tread of 
labouring coolies. Differing in this respect from 
most of his consimilars, who are of retiring habits, 
and love the seclusion of rotting logs, or seek the 
shelter of stones, our mpiapod seems to love the 
sun. It is always curious to watch his movements. 
The great hulking spider which he encounters jerks . 
himself out of the way ; he goes without flinching 
thi'ougli the serried ranks of a little foraging party 
of ants, or, if he cannot go through them, he 
marches over them ; fissures, which to him must be 
frightful chasms, he boldly encounters • hillocks, in 
his eyes rugged mountains, he faces and surmounts 
with ease. With unfailing energy he works his 
“ myriad ” legs, seeking in his progress — who knows 
what 1 To me, who have so often watched his 
